AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine completely prevents severe illness and death

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine could be in the US soon. (AstraZeneca/)

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A fourth drug manufacturer, AstraZeneca, has announced positive results in Phase III COVID vaccine trials in the United States. The vaccine, developed in partnership with Oxford University, and with some funding from Operation Warp Speed, is in widespread use outside the US but still hasn’t been submitted for FDA review, the first step in receiving an emergency use authorization. That’s likely to happen at least a month from now.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is much easier to distribute than the mRNA variety because it can be stored for six months in regular refrigeration. However, unlike Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, it still consists of two shots, given four weeks apart.

According to a press release from AstraZeneca, in the Phase III trial the vaccine was 79 percent effective at preventing symptomatic disease, and 100 percent effective against severe disease and hospitalization. That’s very similar to the results of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was 66 percent effective against “moderate illness,” and 100 percent effective against hospitalization and death.

The release also specifically breaks down efficacy for those 65 and older, who made up 20 percent of trial participants. In that population, the vaccine was 80 percent effective.

However, as has been the case with nearly every COVID vaccine, the press release precedes the release of full clinical data, so it’s impossible to independently verify those results.

The announcement also contains safety results that might address concerns about the vaccine. Although the AstraZeneca shot has been approved for use in a number of countries, including the UK in January, it has hit a number of safety concerns along the way. After a British trial participant fell ill with neurological symptoms in early fall, governments around the world paused clinical trials. The US trial resumed in October after the FDA reviewed the findings and signed off.

Then, in early March, a number of European countries suspended the use of the drug, after two Austrians experienced blood clotting after vaccination, one of whom died 10 days later. Distribution resumed a week later, after the European Medicines Agency announced that “there is currently no indication that vaccination has caused [the clotting].” Studies into other blood-related side effects are ongoing, although the EMA has pointed out that COVID-19 also leads to blood clots, and the risk of developing them due to the disease is higher.

[Related: Why people cared less about catching COVID when it mattered most]

According to the release, an independent data safety monitoring board specifically reviewed US trial data for blood clotting, and found no cases of dangerous clotting among vaccine recipients in the US trial.

Still, vaccine hesitancy in Europe, both towards AstraZeneca and other drugs, is on the rise. But more important than the safety data is how it’s communicated to the public, both in Europe and elsewhere. Writing in Slate, Shobita Parthasarathy, director of the Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program at the University of Michigan, argued, “This crisis isn’t about science at all. It’s about public trust, and scared citizens cannot be easily convinced by expertise that feels remote.”

Participants in the 32,000 person trial were recruited from across the United States. Other AstraZeneca trials have been conducted in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK. However, it’s hard to compare data from those international trials, which found lower overall efficacy, because some participants were given a half dose on their first shots. They ended up being better protected, counterintuitively. The US trial used the “correct” full two doses, but in December, AstraZeneca officials said they were in talks with regulators across the world to run trials involving the half-dose

Unlike the results from the Johnson & Johnson trial, however, the efficacy numbers for this trial weren’t broken down by country. That’s an important omission, because the efficacy of the vaccines may vary depending on the COVID variant circulating. The Johnson & Johnson trial found lower efficacy in South Africa, where a concerning variant, B.1.351 is widespread. A similar strain, P.1, is circulating in Peru.

Much like the vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca uses a weakened chimpanzee adenovirus to induce an immune response. The adenovirus, from a family of viruses that normally cause mild colds, is produced without key genes that would allow it to replicate inside cells and cause disease. In place of those genes, researchers insert the genetic “recipe” for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Once the vaccine is injected, the adenovirus quickly dies, but your cells use that recipe to manufacture spike proteins, in a very similar process to the mRNA vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer. Even though the proteins aren’t attached to a live virus, your immune system recognizes them as a threat, and learns how to neutralize them. Because the genetic recipe comes wrapped in a virus, it’s more durable than the mRNA varieties.

But by the time the FDA approves AstraZeneca’s drug in the United States, the country is likely to have enough doses from Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson to cover its needs. On March 3, president Joe Biden said that the US was “on track” to produce enough vaccines for the entire adult population by the end of May.

On March 18, the United States sent 2.5 million doses from its national stockpile to Mexico and 1.5 million to Canada—the first time it had exported any vaccine from its 30-million-dose stockpile. If the US does hold onto many of those stockpiled AstraZeneca doses in hopes of distributing them after FDA approval, it could prolong the pandemic worldwide, extending the already massive human toll. Though winter surges have ended here, COVID is on the rise elsewhere in the world—both India and Pakistan are experiencing massive increases in cases. Meanwhile, global vaccination rates are far behind the US, as the rest of the world waits for doses. This news of AstraZeneca’s efficacy might be more evidence that it’s time to share.

from Popular Science | RSS https://www.popsci.com/story/health/astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-efficacy/

Razer's flagship keyboard has clever tech under its caps

It will not float in front of pyramids, but it is a very good keyboard. (Razer /)

Switching from a flimsy laptop keyboard to a big mechanical one feels amazing. The keys have a luxurious amount of travel and the sound is like a Tommy gun pumping out hot lead in an old-timey gangster movie as you compose your tweets. The new Razer Huntsman V2 Analog offers those same perks when it comes to feel, but the company’s clever new optical analog switches also offer some unique advantages when it comes to gaming performance.

As the name suggests, the optical analog switches rely on light for their actions. “Digital switches only see zeroes and ones,” says Marquis Tan, a global product manager at Razer. “It’s either pressed or it’s not. An analog switch gives a more granular amount of information to the PC. Instead of zero to one, it’s zero to 255.”

The stem of each switch has a triangular opening through which light travels to an optical sensor. The farther you press down the key, the more light gets through the opening. Because the light has a constant power level, the sensor and software know exactly how far you’ve pressed.

Here you can see the optical sensor that allows for the optical control. (Razer /)

Customizability is crucial for PC peripherals, and these switches enable lots of it in the Huntsman V2 Analog. Each key has a 3.6mm stroke, but players can set the actuation point anywhere between 1.5mm and 3.6mm on an individual basis if they want. This comes in handy for players who may want to keep their movement buttons as light as possible while requiring more effort to push down buttons that trigger more complex actions. Razer marketing manager Ashe Mckeague offers an example from “World of Warcraft.” They keep their movement buttons at 1.5mm for maximum sensitivity, but set ability keys much deeper in order to prevent inadvertently triggering them and possibly losing a battle.

I spent some time playing Overwatch (for work!) with this style of modified controls and did notice fewer accidental abilities and ultimates, which comes in handy for someone with clumsy fingers.

Two key presses in one

Is it truly a gaming keyboard without RGB lighting? (Razer /)

Because the keys always know how far they’re pressed, players can map two different actions to individual points along the key’s path. So, if a game requires one button press to equip a grenade and another to actually throw it, the Huntsman can accomplish both with a single keypress. When it gets to 1.5mm, it will equip the weapon, and when it gets to 3.6mm it will throw it.

PC gamers often map several actions to a single button press to create macros, but they’re not always allowed in some games, and once they’re triggered, they often can’t be stopped. With Razer’s dual-step actuation, players can stop before pressing all the way down in order to interrupt the sequence and change their strategy on the fly.

According to Tan, this kind of switch is capable of even more granular adjustments beyond the 255 levels currently enabled, but it doesn’t make sense to go beyond that right now. “There are a hundred board switches listening at once,” he explains. “If you make it more granular, the amount of information going through might be throttled. We’re pretty much maxing out USB-3 at this time.”

Perfecting the feel

This is what the switches look like under the key caps. (Razer /)

In addition to the new switches under the hood, Razer also revamped the caps. Instead of spray-painted 1mm-thick ABS plastic, the Huntsman V2 includes 1.3mm thick caps made of sturdier double-shot PBT. As a result, the keys will maintain their textured surface after extended use and make a more satisfying clack.

Razer puts a lot of research into tuning the feel and sound of a keyboard, but according to Tan, it’s mostly based specifically on feedback from players rather than precise measuring and tuning. “You have to try it and it involves a lot of prototyping,” he says. The company goes through dozens of prototypes during the tuning process.

Every part of the board affects the overall sound and feel. The caps are crucial, but it also requires careful testing of other variables like rigidity in the chassis, as well as tension in the springs that push the caps back up after a press. “With analog switches, you’d think you need a lot of force to control the granularity,” says Tan. “But, if it’s too heavy to press, it won’t be comfortable as a daily driver. We tested a ton of prototypes, sometimes with different springs in the same board.”

It’s not replacing a custom board

The rabbit hole of custom keyboard building goes absurdly deep and Razer knows it’s not going to replace that experience for true enthusiasts. The company has, however, embraced some of the custom market’s upgrades for its Huntsman V2 Analog.

Each key is lubed with dry lube to make the action on it feel smoother and more reliable over time. Plus, Tan says the company is experimenting with adding dedicated sound damping material inside the keyboard chassis specifically to tune the volume and quality of the sound it makes during typing.

So, how does it feel?

The fake leather wrist rest really is wonderful. (Razer /)

I’ve been using the Huntsman V2 for several weeks now and it’s an impressive keyboard that does everything in its power to justify its steep $250 price tag. The feel is excellent and, once you figure out your preferences for tuning specific keys, the customizability is extremely handy.

There are some drawbacks, however. It doesn’t offer any dedicated macro keys. Instead, it relies on the dual-step actuations for automation. So, if you’re used to mapping more than two things to a button press, you’re out of luck. Some games also don’t support the analog input for finer motor control, so you won’t enjoy the full benefits of the new switches.

One thing you’ll almost certainly appreciate, however, is the plush wrist rest that elevates your hands via a fake leather pad that feels impressively luxurious. The pad attaches to the board magnetically and even offers the flashy RGB lighting that’s present on the rest of the device.

Overall, it seems extremely worthy of the flagship spot in the Razer keyboard lineup. Just don’t expect to shell out all that cash to improve your overall gaming skills. It will, however, sound and feel great, even when you lose.

from Popular Science | RSS https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/razer-huntsman-v2-analog-keyboard-review/

Best snowboard boots: Snowboard equipment for every level

Get the best boots for your snowboard. (Visit Almaty via Pexels/)

Whether you’re a pro on the powder or just starting out, a successful snowboarding run starts with appropriate snowboard gear, especially when it comes to your feet. Are your boots comfortable? Secure? Not too tight but also not too loose? Unlike ski boots, which are rigid and unforgiving, snowboard boots are flexible and, in general, much more comfortable—a blessing for anyone with wide feet or any podiatric issues, like bunions, corns, or hammertoes. (Think about how distracting foot pain can be. With happy toes, you can just concentrate on the ride.) Also unlike ski boots, snowboarding boots lock in sideways (not frontways) and must be released manually in the event of a fall. That can feel jarring at first, but you get used to it, promise!

The first step in assembling a snowboarding kit is to find the right pair of boots; after that, it’s the bindings and the board. To get you going, we’ve curated the best snowboard boots out there for every level, age group, gender, price point, and style preference around.

1. Best men’s snowboard boots: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Lasso-Snowboard-Boots-Smoke/dp/B08C8QHQZM?crid=11EQTT8QTG11K&dchild=1&keywords=ride+lasso+pro+snowboard+boots&qid=1615834194&sprefix=ride+lasso+pro%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-snowboard-boots-pcr-20&linkId=a48ad047c263b0de246ea261e8becfff&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank>Ride Lasso Pro Mens Snowboard Boots</a>
2. Best women’s snowboard boots: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Lashed-Double-Womens-Snowboard/dp/B08FGYNCCX?crid=1HKW8YBMILGB0&dchild=1&keywords=thirtytwo+womens+snowboard+boots&qid=1615833938&refinements=p_72%3A1248957011&rnid=1248955011&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=thirtytwo%2Csporting%2C166&sr=1-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVUJPSFIyWFBHTFlBJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjQ4NDU0MlE0N1g5WlRWNUo2NyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzYzNzQyMThFR0VTU1o4WUhGVyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU%3D&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-snowboard-boots-pcr-20&linkId=8822579ca9baf9eeb1baf553906c07b7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank>thirtytwo Women’s Lashed Double Boa</a>
3. Best kid’s snowboard boots: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Burton-Zipline-Snowboard-Boots-Black/dp/B079RMF417?crid=VUH7D4F5Y98G&dchild=1&keywords=burton%2Bmoto%2Bboa%2Bsnowboard%2Bboots&qid=1615833813&refinements=p_72%3A1248957011&rnid=1248955011&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=burton%2Bmoto%2Bboa%2B%2Caps%2C186&sr=1-12&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-snowboard-boots-pcr-20&linkId=8902cfffd94f17bb5b5a76270ef0207e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank>Burton Boy’s Zipline Boa ’19 (Big Kid)</a>
4. Best BOA snowboard boots: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Burton-Mens-Snowboard-Boots-White/dp/B088HFZJ7Y?dchild=1&keywords=burton+ion+boa&qid=1615834094&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-snowboard-boots-pcr-20&linkId=dc26456ad93996a996d7c6ce30211479&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank>Burton Ion BOA Mens Snowboard Boots</a>
5. Best beginner snowboard boots: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vans-Hi-Standard-2019-Snowboard-Boots/dp/B07JNS5MP5?crid=18WJ6BNIHGAMM&dchild=1&keywords=vans+verse+snowboard+boots&qid=1615834355&sprefix=vans+ver%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-snowboard-boots-pcr-20&linkId=7d9a9b03e24959e2d3ad9bbb1d569dd4&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank>Vans Hi-Standard Men’s Snowboard Boots</a>
6. Best all-mountain snowboard boots: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/adidas-Skateboarding-Mens-Tactical-Black/dp/B079VVJ6FH?crid=1XQTOETE1JA69&dchild=1&keywords=adidas+tactical+adv+snowboard+boots&qid=1615837197&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=adidas+tacti%2Csporting%2C153&sr=1-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-snowboard-boots-pcr-20&linkId=339842979cecf74bb83ea3c12c913091&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank>adidas Tactical ADV Snowboard Boot Mens</a>
7. Best wide snowboard boots: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/K2-Maysis-Snowboard-Boots-Wide/dp/B08D37BY61/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2GHPB389TFUII&dchild=1&keywords=wide+snowboard+boots&qid=1615837415&refinements=p_72%3A1248957011&rnid=1248955011&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=wide+snowboard%2Csporting%2C161&sr=1-6">K2 Maysis Snowboard Boots Wide</a>
8. Best budget snowboard boots: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Symbolic-Ultra-Light-Black-Snowboard/dp/B075SMF4KK?crid=IUXZZ14OJM6H&dchild=1&keywords=rossignol%2Bsnowboard%2Bboots&qid=1615834620&refinements=p_72%3A1248957011%2Cp_36%3A1253557011&rnid=386589011&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=rossignol%2Csporting%2C178&sr=1-8-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFBRjBaSTE3OEE3R0gmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTEwMTAyNTcyQ1lUNlhIVEwxNjIzJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MjU4NDkzUEtPQlozQUtLNUhNJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-snowboard-boots-pcr-20&linkId=c0b5a1f1a84d3e4ce46ad32504d618ce&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank>Symbolic Ultra Light Black Snowboard Boots Mens</a>

How to choose the best snowboard boots

To find the best snowboard boots for you, think of yourself like Goldilocks: You want something that’s snug enough to hold your foot in place, but not so tight that it’s distractingly pinchy. You should be able to wiggle your toes comfortably, and when you lean forward, your heel should stay in place. And never, ever forget your socks. (A thin or medium-thickness pair will do.) You also need to make sure that the boots you’re buying are compatible with your board and its bindings. (That’s a whole other issue that includes figuring out the best board width for your shoe size, and how much boot overhang you should have—so if you’re a beginner, consult an expert.)

Once you have some idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to start shopping.

Who needs snowboarding boots?

If you plan to snowboard with any regularity, buying your own pair of snowboarding boots will ultimately be cost-effective. And if you have an uncommon shoe size or any foot issues that make finding a perfectly fitting pair difficult, buying is smart because it guarantees that you’ll be comfortable during your entire day on the mountain (and not beholden to whatever the rental shop happens to have in stock). The only criteria for the best snowboard boots, whether you’re renting or buying, is that they’re comfortable.

If you’ve never snowboarded before, rent your gear for your first time on the slopes. If you get addicted (and you probably will), once you do the math you’ll likely find that buying your own boots, board, binding, and weatherproof snowboarding gear will save you dough in the long run.

Best men’s snowboard boots: Ride Lasso Pro Mens Snowboard Boots

This flexing boot comes in regular and wide widths, and it’s fitted with an intuition support wrap liner for maximum comfort and security. (Amazon/)

Many men’s snowboard boots, including these, boast a BOA feature, which means that they’re an easy pull-on style sans traditional laces. These also have micro-adjustable ankles, enabling the perfect fit. Their Michelin soles made out of rubber and phylon are super lightweight.

Best women’s snowboard boots: thirtytwo Women’s Lashed Double Boa

This one’s got a rubber outsole, foam cushioning, and a combo BOA-lace system that allows you to dial up the right fit. (Amazon/)

These women’s snowboard boots have medium flexibility, a 3D molded tongue, a molded footbed with heel cradle and arch support, and a performance backstay to support your spine. Note that anyone used to a traditional lace-up or pull-on style may find it tricky to put these on at first.

Best kids’ snowboard boots: Burton Boy’s Zipline Boa ’19 (Big Kid)

This soft-flex, no-fuss pair is sure to keep kiddos’ feet cozy and comfy (meaning a whine-free day on the slopes for you). (Amazon/)

Little hands can adjust these babies even with their mittens on—how cool is that? A heat-moldable imprint liner will keep their feet nice and warm, and the easy BOA dial lets them easily adjust to the perfect fit. The fabric of the boot is virtually indestructible—perfect for fall-prone kids who may not treat their boots like the treasure they are.

Get easy-lace BOA snowboarding boots

Before the new millennium, snowboarding boots were primarily lace-ups. Then BOAs came along and changed the game. Double BOA boots feature two sets of laces: one on the inside that you tighten like traditional laces, and one on the outside that you control with the turn of a knob. (Single BOAs have one knob that controls the tightness of the entire boot.) Fans of BOAs like that tightening doesn’t necessitate glove removal, while some people complain that unless a regular lacing system, tightening isn’t uniform and some parts of the foot can feel insecure. (This is much less likely with a double BOA than a single.)

Best BOA snowboard boots: Burton Ion BOA Mens Snowboard Boots

These boast a broken-in feel right out of the box and a Firm Flex PowerUp tongue that reduces the number of times you need to readjust your fit. (Amazon/)

These Burton snowboard boots have a snow-proof internal gusset keeps your feet warm and dry, even after an entire day on the slopes. Something called a Tuff Cuff Lite wraps the ankle and holds your heel in place so that you get the perfect balance of stability and range of motion. Two independent lacing zones allow you to custom-fit the upper and lower portions of these BOA snowboard boots, which is particularly great for accommodating a difference in width between calves and ankles.

New to snowboarding? These snowboard boots are for you.

The best snowboard boots for someone who’s been shredding the gnar since birth may not necessarily be ideal for a newbie. In general, those just starting out should look for styles that have a soft to medium flex. Beyond that, the best beginner snowboard boots have the same specs as everyone else: The boots should be comfortable and fit right. (After all, a first-timer who spends the day in foot agony is unlikely to be interested in a second time, so choose your snowboard equipment wisely.)

Best beginner snowboard boots: Vans Hi-Standard Men’s Snowboard Boots

Vans snowboard boots are super popular with shredders of all levels, and this lace-up pair lets you customize the fit exactly to your liking. (Amazon/)

Made specifically for those at the beginner or intermediate level, an ultra-cushy footbed makes sure that no matter what, the new boarder in your ranks will at least be comfortable. These Vans snowboard boots also feature an instep lace lockout and internal web harness, which provide extra support—very important for newbies. And the waffle sole looks just like the slip-on surfer Vans you wear during the summer!

How do I know if I need all-mountain snowboard boots?

All-mountain boots allow you to snowboard on nearly any type of terrain, and have a medium level of flexibility and mobility. They’re the most common types of boots because of their versatility. If you’re not sure what kind of terrain you’ll be riding on the most or you want the option to try all different parts of the mountain, this is the pair for you.

Best all-mountain snowboard boots: adidas Tactical ADV Snowboard Boot Mens

A faux-leather lace-up pair from the brand that probably makes your sneaks offers lightning-fast lightweight functionality on all terrains. (Amazon/)

A heat-moldable foam liner conforms to your feet and keeps these Adidas snowboard boots warm and comfortable, while an inner ankle harness secures your foot inside for a no-slip fit. These promise a smooth, powerful ride. They’re particularly great for anyone who’s not a fan of BOA boots.

Do you have extra-wide or pain-prone feet? Don’t fret—there’s a boot for that!

Long gone are the days when only those with narrow, symmetrical feet and perfectly unscathed toes were entitled to a comfortable day on the slopes. The widest snowboard boots were made for anyone who wants to hop on a board and just needs a little more room. Take that, tiny feet!

Best wide snowboard boots: K2 Maysis Snowboard Boots Wide

A combination of high- and medium-density foam, along with a molded 3D sole and a patented heel-hugging harness means all-day comfort and support. (Amazon/)

One really cool feature of this style—called Harshmellow Dampening—is impact-and-vibration absorption, which results in less foot and leg fatigue while you ride. However, these do run on the stiffer side, so if you prefer a super-flex fit, find another pair.

Best snowboard boots on a budget: What you get for under $90

Unfortunately, spending less on snowboard boots means that you get less. Maybe not much less, but the expensive pairs are expensive for a reason: They use quality materials and offer bells and whistles the cheapies don’t. (And the cheapies are only comparatively cheap—you’ll still end up shelling out close to 100 bucks.) If you can spare it and plan to have your boots for a long time, leveling up could be worth it. These are the eBay snowboard boots we’ve found to hold you over if you’re on a budget.

Best cheap snowboard boots: Symbolic Ultra Light Black Snowboard Boots Mens

A soft-flex feel and traditional lace-up design combine to make a dependable, straightforward pair of snowboard boots. (Amazon/)

You get what you pay for when it comes to snowboard boots, and what you don’t get with this pair is a liner or any major cushioning. That said, if the cost is your main concern, with these you still get a medium-stiff flex, 3D molded tongue, and some custom-molded foam for impact.

FAQ: Everything else you need to know about buying the best snowboard boots for you

What are the most comfortable snowboard boots?

Comfort is, of course, subjective, but typically you want to find a pair with ample cushioning, medium flex (not too soft, not too stiff), and, if you have a wide foot, a boot that truly fits you. Laces also give you slightly more control than BOA styles, because you can make micro-adjustments to how tight you’ve laced.

Are stiffer snowboard boots better?

Stiffer boots might be better, depending on how you plan to use them and your ability level. Flexible boots give you room to maneuver, which can be helpful for beginners but also pros who like to freestyle and jump. Stiff boots are best for intermediate and advanced riders; they give you maximum ankle support and allow you to go super fast.

Are snowboard boots worth buying?

If you play to snowboard a lot, definitely! Rates obviously vary from place to place, but let’s say you rent a pair for 20 bucks and hit the slopes just five times during the season—that’s $100, and for that much money, you could own your own pair. Not only that, owning a pair means that they’re perfectly molded to your feet and nobody else’s.

A final word on shopping for the best snowboard boots

Figuring out which are the best snowboard boots for you isn’t rocket science, but there are some key considerations. The first is deciding whether it’s cost-effective to buy a pair instead of renting (and the answer is yes if you plan to snowboard with any regularity). Beyond that, you’ll want to know whether you prefer lace-ups, single BOA models, or double BOAS; the different kinds of terrains you plan to board on; and whether you prefer a super-flexible soft boot or something a bit more rigid. There are loads of options out there with an infinite combination of features, so find your best boots, then get on out there!

from Popular Science | RSS https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-snowboard-boots/

A new poll reveals split opinions on how—and when—police body cam footage is released

Since the peak of the Black Lives Matter protests last summer, body cameras have been the focus of changes to increase transparency in police departments across the country. (Sean Lee/Unsplash/)

Dan Bromberg is an associate professor of Public Administration and Political Science at the University of New Hampshire. Étienne Charbonneau is an associate professor and Canada research chair in Comparative Public Management at the École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP). This story originally featured on The Conversation.

Many police chiefs and regular American civilians agree that officers’ body camera footage should be released to the public after police shoot someone dead.

They differ, though, on when the images should be made public. This complicates achieving accountability, which is often the reason officers wear cameras.

That’s the finding of our new research, published by Cambridge University Press. We surveyed 4,000 US residents—1,000 across the nation as a whole and 1,000 in each of three cities—Los Angeles, Seattle and Charlotte—which are often cited as having different policies for releasing body camera footage. We asked participants whether they identified themselves as white, Black, Hispanic, or Asian. We also surveyed 1,000 police chiefs across the country.

In June 2020, weeks after the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police, the Pew Research Center reported that “78 percent of Americans overall—but a far smaller share of black Americans (56 percent)—said they had at least a fair amount of confidence in police officers to act in the best interests of the public.”

Those findings are consistent with other research also revealing that race is a factor that influences whether Americans trust police.

We randomly showed police chiefs body camera footage and smartphone footage of a fatal shooting. We randomly showed the 4,000 people we surveyed either body camera footage of a police officer shooting a person or a reason why they could not view that footage and then asked them whether, how and when the footage should be made public.

We found very little geographical variation in citizens’ expectations for police behavior and trust in police to use force appropriately. But we found that regular people and police chiefs differed in some of their views about body camera recordings.

People from all across the country, including in the three cities we focused on, generally wanted the footage to be made public. More than 9 in 10 respondents thought so. And the vast majority of police chiefs—just under 9 in 10—agreed.

But beyond that, there were noteworthy differences in people’s views about when and how the video should be released. A plurality of every group—nationwide, and in each city, and when separated by race—was content to wait to see the raw footage until after an internal police investigation was complete.

Overall, on average 39 percent of the 4,000 citizens felt that way. Nearly half of police chiefs—48.7 percent—did. Nonwhites were less willing to wait for an internal investigation to wrap up before seeing the footage.

For citizens, the next most preferred method of seeing the footage was a release of the raw video immediately after the event, with between one-quarter and one-third of people seeking that. Only about one in five citizens preferred to see edited video that was cut and narrated to help explain to viewers what the police officers were doing. But the idea of an edited video appealed to police chiefs, who far preferred that over an immediate release of unedited footage.

If body cameras are going to help improve police accountability, then it is important that police chiefs and the public agree on how and when the footage will be released.

from Popular Science | RSS https://www.popsci.com/story/science/police-body-cam-footage-public/

Countries resume use of the AstraZeneca vaccine after new data shows it’s safe

The US has been able to distribute vaccines quickly enough that the Biden administration is now sharing shots with countries like Mexico and Canada. (Pixabay /)

Click here to see all of PopSci’s COVID-19 coverage.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to undulate around the world, here’s what happened in the past week.

The US delivered 100 million shots in Biden’s first days

When Joe Biden was inaugurated on January 20, he promised that his administration would see 100 million shots delivered by the end of April, which would be the 100th day of his presidency. Despite supply issues in the earliest days and horrific winter weather that led to power cuts across swathes of the country, the US sailed past that goal last Friday—the 59th day. Currently, the US is delivering about 2.5 million vaccines per day, and Biden has spoken about setting a doubled goal of 200 million shots by his 100th day.

The US has been able to distribute vaccines quickly enough that the Biden administration is now sharing shots with countries like Mexico and Canada. But while the new administration has taken steps to fund vaccine-sharing schemes such as COVAX, public health experts warn that it isn’t even remotely enough to counter vaccine inequities around the world. The number of shots delivered in all of Africa so far, for instance, is less than the number the US can deliver in a week.

Researchers think they’ve identified a potential cause for the blood clots associated with AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine

Two teams of researchers independently say they’ve pinpointed the source of the blood clotting that caused numerous countries to put a temporary hold on some batches of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine—or, in the cases of Norway and Thailand, to halt their entire vaccine campaigns altogether.

Those researchers believe the vaccine can trigger an autoimmune response that activates too many platelets in a person’s bloodstream, potentially causing their blood to clot. That clotting can be fatal, but it is exceedingly rare, with less than 30 total incidents from the 20 million Europeans who had been given the shot. Not everybody is firmly convinced the vaccine has any link at all: The EU’s drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has said the rate of clotting isn’t any higher than in the general population, or for people getting other vaccines.

Most of the countries that had paused using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have resumed using it after the EMA stated last Thursday that the shot was safe. Meanwhile, data was released on a late-stage trial of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the US, Chile, and Peru: The shot was 79 percent effective at preventing symptomatic infection, and 100 percent effective in preventing serious COVID-19 illness. The trial also saw no incidents of blood-clotting problems. The results lay the path for regulators to approve its use within the next several months.

[Related: Moderna is now testing its COVID-19 vaccine on kids. Here’s everything you need to know.]

CDC reassesses school guidelines

Many US schools had been wary of reopening their doors to students because they didn’t have enough physical space to go along with recommendations. Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had suggested students be spaced 6 feet (2 meters) apart. School buildings often don’t have that sort of space to work with, and many that had reopened were ignoring the guidelines and keeping students at much more crowded distances.

Now, the CDC has halved that recommended separation to just 3 feet (1 meter). Additionally, the CDC dropped its suggestion for schools to use physical barriers like transparent shields, which many schools were using to reinforce their distancing. The CDC revised its advice after considering research which showed a low risk of coronavirus transmission at that distance.

Public health experts say the benefits to students’ education and well-being are worth the limited risks from physically reopening.

More research suggests that having COVID-19 provides some immunity to future infections

We’ve heard it said many times that having COVID-19 once grants you immunity and stops re-infections. But for how long was anybody’s guess. It was so pervasive, especially in the early days of the pandemic, that many people pondered purposely infecting themselves just to get it over with (despite constant warnings that doing this was very bad). But over the past year, more and more data has come out to suggest that getting COVID-19 does provide some protection against reinfection.

The most recent data, which came from Denmark’s national COVID testing program, suggests fewer than 1 percent of people tested were re-infected, and for most people, one infection seemed to offer protection, at a rate similar to current COVID vaccines, for about six months. But that effectiveness dropped off dramatically for those over 65, reinforcing just how deadly COVID-19 can be for older adults. If anything, these results highlight just how important it is for everyone to keep masking up and socially distancing, even if you’ve been infected. The study also didn’t take into account COVID variants, and the rate of their reinfection remains unknown.

from Popular Science | RSS https://www.popsci.com/story/health/us-biden-vaccines-100-million/

The process sea slugs use to regrow severed body parts is surprisingly common

Kleptoplasty, the ability to steal another organism's photosynthetic powers, in animals is thought to be extremely rare in animals. Its this skill that allows the slug pictured above to survive and regrow its body after being decapitated. (Sayaka Mitoh/)

Some sea slugs can live without their bodies. Cut their heads off, and the noggins can still survive for months, scientists recently discovered. Those detached, self-propelling, heads can then regenerate whole new slug-bodies for them.

Scientists don’t really know how those slugs manage it, but there’s at least two species of a group called sacoglossans who can do it. They suspect the slugs’ astounding survival powers depend on a backup power source: The animals can steal the photosynthesizing powers from the algae around them.

This ability is known as kleptoplasty, and slugs aren’t the only ones that possess it. Numerous other life-forms are kleptoplastic, capable of pillaging chloroplasts—the parts of a cell that facilitate photosynthesis—from other organisms, such as algae in water. Kleptoplastic organisms can take those chloroplasts and use them as their own.

The consumed chloroplasts continue to turn sunlight into energy for their new organism, giving them a “long-lasting bonus,” says Holly Moeller, a biologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “Their food supply could have this whole second life.”

Those kleptoplastic sacoglossans, for instance, suck out the innards from algal cells they consume, singling out the chloroplasts and merging them into the slugs’ digestive cells. That allows the slugs to directly turn sunlight into energy of their own accord.

Kleptoplasty may seem like a magic wand for survival, but scientists don’t know if it’s quite that. Chloroplast-raiding probably doesn’t give a slug enough energy to replace eating. Rather, it’s more like a backup plan. If, for instance, the slug has been decapitated or food is scarce, the animal can rely on its pillaged chloroplasts.

Kleptoplasty in animals is far from the norm. In fact, for many years, those sacoglossans were the only animals that scientists knew were kleptoplastic. That is, until scientists in 2019 discovered kleptoplasty in rhabdocoels, a genus of flatworms.

For decades, scientists had known some freshwater rhabdocels kept living algae in their bodies, something that a few other animals, like corals and sponges, are known to do. Scientists had also found chloroplasts in several species of rhabdocels who lived in the sea, according to Niels Van Steenkiste, a biologist at the University of British Columbia.

Van Steenkiste and his fellow researchers decided to look at one of those species more closely to find out if they, too, held full algal cells. Using high-resolution microscopes and gene sequencing, they found that the flatworm species had instead taken stolen chloroplasts into themselves.

How these rhabdocels manage to actually break into the cell and raid its contents isn’t known, nor is it known if the flatworms are picky raiders. These are both open questions of research. “We want to find out if they only graze on specific species,” Van Steenkiste says, “or if they feed non-specifically.”

And the discovery doesn’t make kleptoplasty in animals any more common. Van Steenkiste says that his colleagues and he have confirmed it in two species of rhabdocels so far, and there are as many as 16 other species that they think likely also have it. That’s still a tiny fraction of the 1800 known species of rhabdocels in the world.

Of course, there’s plenty of life on Earth that has yet-to-be discovered, meaning there could be more kleptoplastic animals out there. “It is not unlikely that more animals with this ability will be described in the future,” says Van Steenkiste.

But if you look past the animal kingdom, you’ll find quite a few more examples of organisms that use kleptoplasty. “There are a whole variety of protists...that also can pull this off,” says Moeller.

Protists are single-celled organisms, and many of them can absorb chloroplasts of algae that are smaller than them. They do so in various ways: Some wrap a chloroplast into their translucent body, allowing it to keep on making energy, while others go one step further by plucking out an algae’s cell nucleus intact, using its genetic instructions to keep the chloroplast in working order.

“It’s like it stole the car and then it also stole the owner’s manual, so that you can repair the car, and maintain the car, and keep driving the car,” says Moeller.

It’s also in these protists that kleptoplasty can show scientists back in time, more than two billion years past, before plants evolved on Earth. Many scientists believe that, back then, chloroplasts, along with other parts of the cell such as mitochondria, were free-floating organisms of their very own that were integrated and “domesticated” into the organelles you know and love from high-school biology.

“If you look at all the photosynthetic organisms, chloroplasts have actually moved across lineages,” says Moeller. “They’ve sort of jumped across the branches of the tree of life.”

How exactly that happened, and how differing life-forms acquired the ability to turn light into energy, isn’t known. But by stealing chloroplasts from algae, kleptoplastic protists or animals are doing just that.

from Popular Science | RSS https://www.popsci.com/story/animals/slugs-organisms-photosynthesis/

The best tablet for gaming, drawing, editing and more: Our picks for all ages and activities

Take your office on the go or find your inner artist with the best tablet for your lifestyle. (Daniel Romero via Unsplash/)

Tablets have come a long way in the last decade. While portable touchscreen devices have been prototyped and produced since the 1970s, and they even enjoyed the spotlight when Type-A personalities made the PalmPilot the handheld PC du jour in the late ’90s, the tablet computer really caught on in 2010 with the introduction of the iPad. Sure, Android was there first, but Apple defined the category, and in the years since these devices have transitioned from screens just powerful enough to play movies to laptop alternatives with the potential to edit 4K video. That doesn’t make an iPad the best tablet for everyone, however. With varying sizes, operating systems, storage, and connectivity options, the right tablet can offer you as much access or ease as you like once you identify your priorities.

• Best tablet for the money:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J66ZMY7?&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-tablet-pcr-20&linkId=b879d97fb92ea55dcef93b5a2386cb24&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank> Apple iPad Air (4th Generation)</a>
• Best tablet for drawing:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0863D15R6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-tablet-pcr-20&linkId=03c91f0264c64b9121cced0c3c6df229&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank> Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch (4th Generation)</a>
• Best tablet for Android:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FBPRY3N?&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-tablet-pcr-20&linkId=1f2be688b17e0e7ad579c61e1dad079b&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank> Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+</a>
• Best tablet for younger children:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KD7K4B1?&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-tablet-pcr-20&linkId=4251dc3c54b05cd0f1517de4ec58e3d7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank> Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition</a>
• Best budget tablet:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083JXPDL5?&linkCode=ll1&tag=popularscience-best-tablet-pcr-20&linkId=04bfab6dee32f56b057cdc3b034885c7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target=_blank> Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus (2nd Gen)</a>

Things to consider when shopping for the best tablet computer

The best tablet computer is more than a screen: it’s an entryway. You’re buying into an ecosystem of apps and accessories. So before you invest it’s important to ask yourself a few questions about your own habits and existing hardware. Are you looking more for a portable bookstore or a part-time babysitter? Do you need a tool to up productivity or just for downtime? Are you always on the go or just want a more portable screen around the house? Do you already have Amazon, Android, and/or Apple devices, and is this tablet replacing or complementing them?

Related: Find out if you need to replace your laptop with a tablet

Maybe you want the best tablet for gaming and using Google Workspace. Maybe you just want the best screen to surf the internet, read a bestseller, or watch 4K HDR10 blockbusters. Establishing whether you’re trying to bridge the gap or just fill a specific hole is the first step. Then, based on how heavy you want your bag and how light you want your wallet, you can decide on the size and feature set that suits you, like whether a WiFi-only model or a more expensive cellular-equipped one fits where you’ll do most of your work. So come up to the lab and see what’s on the tab. Here are our suggestions for the best tablet whether you’re a voracious reader or a power user, a creative or wrangling kids.

So, is the best tablet for me really just an iPad?

Let’s be honest, “iPad” hasn’t quite reached the level of Kleenex or Band-Aids when it comes to a brand name becoming the generic term for a product...but of all the tablets it’s the closest. There are folks, especially those who already have an iPhone and/or a MacBook, who believe tablet and iPad are already, exclusively synonymous. And iOS is undoubtedly accessible and app rich, able to cater to casual or corporate needs. So, if you’re looking for specific use cases (the best tablet for professional artists, Android users or young children, etc.), skip to the next section. Otherwise, here’s our pick for the best tablet for most users.

Best tablet for the money: Apple iPad Air (4th Generation)

The iPad Air is a lightweight heavyweight, packing many of Apple’s latest innovations into a compact form factor. (Amazon/)

The 2020 iPad Air packs flagship features into a more affordable package and is the best tablet for the money. A model honed to overperform, the iPad Air’s 10.9-inch Liquid Retina P3 HDR screen has the thin bezels and anti-reflective display of its bigger, more expensive sibling, as well as support for the Magic Keyboard and second-generation Apple Pencil (each sold separately, but the best combo for note-taking). Combine that with the Bionic A14 processor, WiFi 6 chipset, and a 7-megapixel front camera—as well as the most active app development community for tablets—and you’ve got the best work-from-anywhere or game-on-the-go platform. A fingerprint scanner in the power button adds the convenience of unlocking the tablet without having to expose your face.

What’s the best tablet for artists?

What’s the most important component of the best tablet? For artists, it is a highly sensitive, touch-responsive screen that delivers the widest array of colors. For that reason, Apple wins another category, getting the top pick when it comes to the best tablet for drawing and creatives. The iPad Air and iPad Pro’s laminated displays are bright (at 500 and 600 nits, respectively), as well as vivid, registering 102 or 123 percent of the sRGB color gamut, depending on the model. With support for Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Rush, etc., as well as powerful, intuitive apps such as Procreate, the iPad can handle any medium. So, which one is the best iPad for drawing?

Best tablet for drawing: Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch (4th Generation)

If you’re a painter in need of a studio or a filmmaker in need of an editing suite, the iPad Pro is a portable workspace for all graphic mediums. (Amazon/)

The iPad Air is conveniently sized without making major compromises, but if you’re a serious graphic designer with money looking for the best drawing tablet, you’ll want to spring for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Paying the premium gets you additional processor cores, an ultrawide camera, as well as more screen real estate with ProMotion technology for increased 120Hz refresh rates, fluid motion, and the smoothest stylus response, making it the very best iPad for drawing or as a laptop replacement.

It is important, however, to acknowledge the lack of true multitasking in iPadOS, so if you’re as much a business user as an illustrator and you’re looking to run a video chat while simultaneously sketching or editing documents, you’ll need to consider the best Windows 2-in-1 tablet, which is a laptop-class Intel i5 or i7 Microsoft Surface Pro 7. The iPad may be best for painting, but for vector art, layout tasks, and the like, full access to Windows 10 can help with a creative studio’s workflow. The Surface Pen, featuring 4096 pressure sensitivity, allows for plenty of control, though the screen’s brightness, refresh rate, and color gamut are more akin to the iPad Air than the iPad Pro.

What’s the best Android tablet?

Sure, Apple devices can feel ubiquitous at times. But there are also plentiful alternatives if you prefer the Android OS, which stands out for its configurability and seamless integration with Google apps. Because multiple hardware developers support Android—and not all devices ship with or are capable of running the most current version of Android—there’s a little more legwork involved in selecting the best Android tablet. But that’s where this guide comes in, so here’s our suggestion for the best Samsung tablet, made for Android and intended to give the iPad Pro a run for its money in terms of cameras, connectivity, and battery life.

Best Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is a great slate if you want the best-looking, most-responsive expression of Android 11. (Amazon/)

A classic rounded aluminum slab, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ doesn’t look like much—until you boot up its gorgeous 12.4-inch, 2,800 by 1,752-pixel Super AMOLED display. With a 120Hz refresh rate and a color gamut that even beats the iPad Pro 2020 (though it can’t match the iPad’s brightness), the Galaxy Tab S7+ makes you want to consume content (or game with no lag). But if you’re looking to work, as well as play, Samsung’s One UI skin and a customized DeX desktop interface (paired with an S Pen, included, for annotations and/or the optional Book Cover keyboard) helps to optimize the latest Android OS’s phone-like appearance and empower multitasking. (For games you can even pair an Xbox controller.) The device doesn’t have the processing power or streamlined system of an iPad, but it’ll stream or beam HD all day long.

Like almost every Samsung tablet, the Galaxy Tab S7+ is sold in various sizes of internal storage. However, unlike an iPad, which does not officially support expandable storage (and therefore may require more investment upfront), the Galaxy Tab S7+ has a slot for removable storage up to 1TB (via microSD card, sold separately). Cloud backups (whether it’s Google Drive or iCloud) are handy, but sometimes you want the assurance of local storage.

What’s the best tablet for kids?

Typically, shopping for electronics is about getting the most functionality for the money. But when it comes to the best tablet for kids the equation shifts, because what you’re paying for is limitations. The best kids tablet comes with parental controls engaged and uncluttered access to a wealth of content. Ninety-nine percent of the time the goal is to keep the kid(s) preoccupied, not productive (for more coordinated tweens, etc., you might as well get an entry-level iPad to help with homework, or an Amazon Kindle Kids Edition to promote reading). So here’s our suggestion for the best kids’ tablet that can grow with your child.

Best kids’ tablet: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition

Sheathed in rubber bumpers, the Amazon Fire Kids Editions are all about restricting questionable content in a ruggedized tablet that can occupy anywhere. (Amazon/)

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition is a full-featured model with affordability bettered only by its durability. For under $200 you get a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD IPS screen with 12-hour battery life encased in a colorful, drop-resistant bumper. It’s a crisp, responsive display for the age-adjustable library presented by the Kids+ carousel of apps, books, and videos (a one-year subscription to Amazon’s FreeTime Unlimited is included with purchase). While kids will love the ability to get Netflix, Minecraft, Zoom, etc. as they get older, parents will really enjoy the time limit and educational goal filters, as well as the two-year, worry-free “no questions asked” replacement guarantee.

What’s the best tablet under $200?

Judging purely on price point, it’s hard to beat the Amazon Fire HD 8 for best tablet on a budget. You’ll have access to all the content you can consume, as well as Alexa’s voice-activated assistance, without having to hit three figures. The one caveat, and it’s a big one, is the fact that Amazon’s app store is very limited in comparison to what Apple and Google Play offer. While there are ways around these garden walls, a fully-featured tablet shouldn’t require workarounds, so here’s our suggestion for the best tablet under $200.

Best budget tablet: Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus (2nd Gen)

If casual consumption is what you’re after, you don’t have to spend more to enjoy more. (Amazon/)

Packing a 10.3-inch Full HD (1920 by 1200) IPS display, powered by an eight-core processor with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, the latest generation of the Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus has a premium feel and it runs a version of Android 9 that isn’t overly bloated by third-party preinstalls. It can smoothly run a web browser or word processor, and has a productivity mode that adds a task bar (though it’s not a true desktop experience). Streaming and gaming performance is standard, though not spectacular, as are the cameras (at 8MP/5MP). But if you’re looking for the best budget tablet for Google apps and Assistant with solid battery life and a convenient charging dock for hands-free use, this is a great pick.

Picking the best tablet FAQ

How do I choose a tablet?

Ask yourself whether you want the top media player or a productivity tool. Evaluate if you already have a deep investment in a specific brand’s ecosystem (think Apple, Google or Amazon). Determine if you’re going to want to extensively accessorize. Consider whether this is a replacement or extension of a computer. These answers will determine where you sit on the casual-to-fully committed spectrum and help you choose a tablet.

Related: How to set parental controls on any phone or tablet

How many GB do I need for a tablet?

How many GB you need depends on whether your intent is to consume or create content. If it’s solely the former, you’re probably fine with the base model storage. If it’s the latter, get the most storage you can afford—especially if you’re buying an iPad, which can’t be upgraded after purchase. If you’re selecting an Android tablet, pick one with a microSD slot and you can expand storage later.

How long should a tablet last?

It used to be that each year’s new models were revolutionary, but now they’re more often evolutionary. Manufacturers are likely to support their devices for four to five years before considering them obsolete, though healthy battery life for a modern tablet is closer to three years (a number that will fluctuate depending on frequency of use and recharge). So a modern tablet should last between three to five years (the more advanced the model, the longer its software updates and support lifecycle).

A final word on shopping for the best tablet

Whether you’re a reader or an author, a filmmaker, or just getting the most out of your Netflix subscription, you’re probably going to spend a lot of time looking at your tablet. So choose wisely. As long as you clearly identify your needs, the best tablet for you will feed your hunger for media and/or expression without sinking its teeth too deeply into your wallet.

from Popular Science | RSS https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-tablet/