A good webcam will show in a good light and ensure that you look professional and put together.

A quality camera will ideally have adjustable brightness or an auto-brightness function that will help you look better in dark lighting. A lot of the time, you simply don’t have a well-lit place to Zoom from.

Some webcams even come with ring lights to help you look your best.

In this article, I will be showing you some of the best webcams for Zoom meetings. Whether you need something with the best resolution possible or just want a camera that fits the requirements for your proctored Zoom exams, I’ve got you covered.

Thumbnail

Title

Zoom Certified, NexiGo N950P (Gen 2) 4K Zoomable Webcam, RF Remote, Sony_Starvis Sensor, 5X Digital Zoom, Pro Web Camera with Dual Stereo Mics, for Zoom Skype Teams Twitch

NexiGo N930P (Gen 2) 1080P Autofocus Webcam with Software, Microphone & Privacy Cover, HD USB Web Camera, for Zoom YouTube Skype FaceTime, PC Mac Laptop Desktop

NexiGo Zoom Certified, N940P (Gen 2) 2K Zoomable Webcam with Remote| Sony_Starvis Sensor | 3X Zoom in and Out| Dual Stereo Microphone, for Zoom/Skype/Teams/Webex (White)

Logitech C920x HD Pro Webcam, Full HD 1080p/30fps Video Calling, Clear Stereo Audio, HD Light Correction, Works with Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, Hangouts, PC/Mac/Laptop/Macbook/Tablet - Black

Logitech Brio 101 Full HD 1080p Webcam Made for Meetings and Works for Streaming — Auto-Light Balance, Built-in Mic, Privacy Shutter, USB-A, for Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, and More - Black

Star Rating

-

-

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

Zoom Certified, NexiGo N950P (Gen 2) 4K Zoomable Webcam, RF Remote, Sony_Starvis Sensor, 5X Digital Zoom, Pro Web Camera with Dual Stereo Mics, for Zoom Skype Teams Twitch

Star Rating

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

NexiGo N930P (Gen 2) 1080P Autofocus Webcam with Software, Microphone & Privacy Cover, HD USB Web Camera, for Zoom YouTube Skype FaceTime, PC Mac Laptop Desktop

Star Rating

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

NexiGo Zoom Certified, N940P (Gen 2) 2K Zoomable Webcam with Remote| Sony_Starvis Sensor | 3X Zoom in and Out| Dual Stereo Microphone, for Zoom/Skype/Teams/Webex (White)

Star Rating

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

Logitech C920x HD Pro Webcam, Full HD 1080p/30fps Video Calling, Clear Stereo Audio, HD Light Correction, Works with Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, Hangouts, PC/Mac/Laptop/Macbook/Tablet - Black

Star Rating

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

Logitech Brio 101 Full HD 1080p Webcam Made for Meetings and Works for Streaming — Auto-Light Balance, Built-in Mic, Privacy Shutter, USB-A, for Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, and More - Black

Star Rating

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Best Webcams For Zoom Meetings

1. NexiGo N950P (Gen 2) 4K Zoomable Webcam

The NexiGo N950P is a 4k webcam with a remote control that allows you to easily adjust the field of view and viewing angle. It is one of NexiGo’s Zoom Certified webcams.

That means that it received the Zoom Video Certification from Zoom itself, demonstrating that this model has passed testing to ensure quality during live video meetings. You can learn more about Zoom Certification and NexiGo here.

At 30 FPS (frames per second), it offers excellent video quality during live Zoom meetings. With a 5x digital magnification feature, you can easily zoom in (no pun intended) during Zoom meetings.

Furthermore, the remote control allows you to easily adjust the volume, flip the mirror image, and more.

There are two omnidirectional microphones that can capture audio from every angle, with noise cancellation built in. Low light correction is also built into the webcam, ensuring you can be seen in a professional light even when conducting meetings at night or on cloudy days.

You can easily mount the webcam on your monitor or an external tripod. With USB-A and USB-C ports, connectivity is easy, and the webcam is compatible with a wide range of operating systems.

It works with Windows (as early as Windows XP), macOS, Android, and even smart TVs!

One cool thing worth mentioning is that it comes with a privacy cover, so you can cover the camera for added privacy when not in use.

2. NexiGo N60 1080p Webcam with Microphone

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, check out the NexiGo N60 1080p webcam. You can adjust the field of view and zoom by using the companion software, which allows you to control the webcam from your computer.

It has a built-in noise-canceling microphone, making it great for Zoom meetings, and it has a privacy cover to cover the camera when you’re not using it.

There is another version with autofocus, which is slightly more expensive if you’re on a tight budget but definitely worth the price.

3. NexiGo Zoom Certified, N940P (Gen 2) 2k Zoomable Webcam

For those with a mid-range budget, the NexiGo N940P is a great choice. It comes with a 2k Sony Starvis Sensor, with 3x magnification built in.

The remote control allows you to adjust the field of view, flip your image, and more. This webcam is Zoom Certified and comes with features such as autofocus and a built-in microphone with noise cancellation.

It is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and devices.

4. Logitech C920x HD Pro Webcam

The Logitech C920x HD Pro is a decently priced option for people who do regular or occasional Zoom meetings.

It even comes with a three-month license for XSplit VCam, which allows you to remove, replace, or blur your background without using a green screen. That’s great if you do meetings from your kitchen, for example, and don’t want your coworkers to see it.

It has a 1080p resolution at 30 FPS, making it great for video calls and recording Zoom meetings.

One of the benefits of getting a Logitech webcam is that you can use Logitech Capture. Logitech Capture is a software that allows you to shoot video and create content, switching between multiple webcams or application windows.

With Logitech Capture, you can even create vertical videos so that people can view it on mobile while enjoying a responsive experience.

The webcam comes with light correction for low light settings and autofocus. However, it doesn’t have a privacy shutter.

5. Logitech Brio 101 Full HD 1080p Webcam

The Logitech Brio 101 is an excellent option for those looking for a cheap webcam for occasional use, such as online exams that use Zoom proctoring and Zoom classes. It’s useful for professionals and students alike.

It offers high definition 1080p resolution and a brightness boosting feature to help in low light situations and reduce shadows.

This budget webcam does come with a privacy shutter and a built-in microphone, and while it’s lacking some advanced features, it’s one of the best budget webcams out there.

6. Angetube 1080p Webcam with Ring Light

This Angetube webcam features a ring light, which is incredibly helpful for brightening your face in dark workspaces.

Whether you usually attend Zoom meetings at night or the only private area of your home is the basement, a ring light will ensure you look professional.

The built-in ring light webcam includes different settings that work for different brightness conditions, with soft tones to avoid glare. It even comes with digital noise reduction (for reducing digital noise in video, not audio noise) and autofocus.

With 1080p quality and 60 FPS (you can also switch to 30 FPS), it’s perfect for both Zoom meetings and video conference recordings. You can also use it for streaming or recording content.

It features 5x magnification with easy zoom features and compression encoding that allows you to record video meetings while reducing bandwidth consumption.

7. DEPSTECH Webcam 4k

This DEPSTECH webcam features a Sony sensor and 4k resolution. It offers 3x magnification with remote control access that allows you to zoom in and out, adjust exposure, turn off the webcam, and more.

However, magnification is only available in 1080p resolution.

The webcam also has autofocus and automatically corrects your lighting, helping you look clear in bad lighting conditions. It is moderately priced and compatible with a wide range of operating systems.

8. TONGVEO 5.8GHz Wireless Webcam

If you’re okay with spending more money on a high-end webcam, I would highly suggest you check out this TONGVEO 5.8GHz wireless webcam.

While it only has 1080p resolution, it allows 5.8GHz wireless livestreaming via a USB receiver, allowing you to eliminate cables when attending Zoom meetings.

It comes with a remote control, and you can control the PTZ (Point, Tilt, Zoom) using a wireless joystick. The PTZ offers a 350-degree pan and 180-degree tilt, and the camera moves silently when you tilt it.

It has a wide range of mounting options – you can even mount it on your ceiling, facing you! There is a three-year warranty, ensuring you get full value for your money.

9. Anker PowerConf C200 2k Webcam

The Anker PowerConf C200 2k Webcam is a great budget choice. It features an adjustable view: You get to choose how much of your workspace the camera shows: either 65 degrees, 78 degrees, or 95 degrees.

Although it doesn’t come with a ring light, it does support brightening for dark conditions, ensuring you can be seen clearly.

It also has a built-in mic with noise cancellation powered by artificial intelligence, reducing background noise such as ambulance sirens or outdoor construction, which could interfere with your meetings.

10. Vitade Zoomable Webcam with Remote Control

Vitade’s zoomable webcam is perfect for Zoom meetings, as it comes with a handheld remote control that you can use to control the webcam without leaning forward during your meetings.

The remote control has buttons that allow you to zoom in and out, change the angle, adjust the brightness, and more. You can also easily disable the video from the remote control, although a privacy shutter adds extra privacy for when you’re not using the camera at all.

The privacy shutter also has the benefit of protecting your lens from dust.

The Vitade webcam comes with a ring light, which you can use to provide soft light at different levels of brightness. You can also adjust the contrast, and the 5x magnification can help you be more visible..

11. EMEET C950 1080p Webcam

The EMEET C950 webcam is one of the cheapest options on this list, but it still provides you with excellent value for your money.

With a 70-degree field of view and 1080p resolution, it’s perfect for students who need to attend class meetings over Zoom or proctored Zoom exams.

It is small and compact and offers low-light correction, with a noise-canceling microphone built in to enhance the sound of your video calls.

The C950’s plug and play functionality allows you to use it with ease on many operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and even Android.

12. CAOLIU Webcam with Microphone for Desktop

Another great budget option for students and working professionals alike is the CAOLIU webcam, available from Amazon. It has eight-meter omnidirectional sound absorption and a built-in bidirectional microphone with noise cancellation.

The shutter on the camera helps protect your privacy while also keeping the lens safe from scratches or dust.

The webcam can easily be attached to your monitor via a clip, and it can be rotated 360 degrees to capture the perfect angle for your Zoom meeting. With a 110-degree field of view, your colleagues will be able to see you in your entirety.

13. Creative Live Cam 2k QHD USB Webcam with 4x Digital Zoom

The Cam Sync V3 from Creative Live is a great budget choice. It delivers 2k quality high definition resolution and comes with 4x digital zoom, allowing you to choose from different views.

For example, one option is the framed head-to-shoulder view, which optimizes eye contact and is perfect for one-on-one Zoom meetings. If you have several people in your house attending a Zoom meeting, you can opt for the widest zoom, which can fit several people in the frame.

There is also the 4x magnification, which is perfect for displaying small objects up close to the screen.

The Creative webcam is compatible with the Creative app for Windows, which adds functionalities such as NoiseClean for noise cancellation effect and the SmartComms Kit.

NoiseClean also cancels noise coming from another meeting participants, who might have dogs in the background barking or children crying.

SmartComms Kit from Creative Labs is a set of tools that enhances digital communication. For example, in addition to NoiseClean, it offers VoiceDetect.

VoiceDetect is a feature that detects your voice and makes you heard, even if you accidentally muted yourself. It will turn off the mute function so that people don’t miss out on what you are saying when you accidentally press on mute or forget to turn it off.

The camera features 360-degree rotation and 30-degree tilt, allowing you to capture your best angle. It has a long cable and a handy privacy shutter.

14. Creative Live Cam 4k UHD USB Webcam with Backlight Compensation

Creative Live also has a more expensive version, with 4k ultra-high definition resolution. This creative Live Cam also comes with backlight compensation to help you look good in different lighting conditions.

Furthermore, it features a privacy shutter, a 90-degree field of view, 360-degree rotation, and a 30-degree tilt, allowing you to look your best.

It has dual microphones and a slider that lets you mute and unmute your mic easily.

15. CZUR Halo X Pro Dual Webcam

This Halo X Pro Dual Webcam from CZUR has two cameras built in: one that captures at 1080p and 60 FPS and another that captures at 1080p and 30 FPS.

The top camera is rotatable by 270 degrees, while the bottom camera is rotatable by 180 degrees. You can use these two cameras separately, at the same time, although not all software is compatible with dual cameras.

Together, the cameras offer a 90-degree field of view. The webcam comes with a built-in microphone as well.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of amazing webcams for your Zoom meetings. There’s no need to rely on your computer’s built-in webcam; a lot of the time, they’re just not that good and only offer the bare minimum.

Sometimes, you will need an external webcam to meet certain requirements. For example, if you are taking a proctored exam over Zoom, some proctoring companies require you to have an external webcam, so the proctor can monitor your screen and keyboard.

Remember, always read reviews before you buy a webcam and check how long the warranty is good for.

The post 15 Best Webcams For Zoom Meetings In 2024 appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

It allows businesses and app developers to provide interactive maps for getting navigational directions, weather data, and more.

In this Mapbox review, I will discuss the main features of Mapbox. I will also talk a bit about who it is for and whether you can benefit from Mapbox.

Let’s get into it.

Mapbox Overview

Mapbox is a software that allows you to embed maps in your apps and websites. For example, if you want to create an app that allows people to get directions, you can do that with Mapbox.

Two famous companies that use Mapbox and its APIs are Instacart, a grocery delivery service, and Snapchat. Snapchat is a popular social media app which also has a feature called Snap Map, where you can see where your friends are in real time on a map.

Mapbox Products and Services

Mapbox has a lot of products and features, and I can’t go over all of them. I will, however, give you an overview of the most important ones.

Navigation

You can embed a map and allow your website visitors or app users to get navigational directions. In other words, you can create an app like Google Maps.

Mapbox handles over 400 billion live location updates every day!

It’s not just for apps and websites, though. Automotive manufacturers can use it to embed a navigational system in the built-in car dashboard, which can work even offline.

This navigational system will be optimized for electric vehicles, when applicable. Electric vehicle owners can benefit from enhanced route planning for EVs (Electric Vehicles), information about the nearest charging stations, and even information about predicted battery levels on arrival, depending on the route taken.

To help users find the best charging stations, there are filters for options such as fast charging, plug-and-charge stations, and charging networks such as ChargePoint and Blink.

Even location context such as elevation, which can affect battery levels, is taken into account when planning routes for EVs. Furthermore, electric vehicle owners can pay for charging services directly from within the app.

In online mode, Mapbox provides real-time traffic updates, ETAs, and optimized route planning based on live traffic conditions.

Logistics

Mapbox also works with fleet operators and delivery services. Using Mapbox’s APIs, you can identify where your customers are located and create optimized routes to serve them better.

You will get important data to help you understand where to strategically locate distribution centers and dark stores (hidden stores that only delivery drivers can access, not customers). It will also help you get products delivered on time by helping you find the right driver for an assignment.

It also helps you plan batch deliveries and routes, especially when there are associated conditions (such as the need for a refrigerated truck).

The navigational app will provide drivers with real-time route planning and optimization based on traffic data to ensure that deliveries get to their destinations on time.

Drivers can even download these maps and routes to be used offline.

Not only will Mapbox improve delivery times, but it will also help you save on fuel by reducing time spent on the road.

Meanwhile, managers can monitor where all drivers and vehicles in their fleets are at all times with live location tracking.

Moreover, you can integrate Mapbox into dashcams and, with the power of AI, detect dangerous driving actions such as tailgating or speeding taken by your drivers, issuing alerts when such behavior happens.

You can get detailed reports for such behavior, with captured images and videos from the dashcams to support these accusations.

With augmented reality, drivers can see data overlays together with navigation. From tips to parking to information about meter prices, drivers can benefit in numerous ways.

MapGPT

MapGPT is a new feature from Mapbox that integrates artificial intelligence with existing navigational features. It allows users to hold conversations with AI and get assistance in real time, whether they need help finding a restaurant or getting weather updates.

With advanced natural language processing, MapGPT can understand open-ended questions and interpret meaning, even from incomplete sentences and statements. It’s available in several languages.

MapGPT also integrates with vehicles, so drivers can control things like temperature by issuing voice commands. Hands-free control is more convenient and helps keep drivers safe.

Furthermore, MapGPT can be used to book reservations and set calendar reminders.

MapGPT doesn’t only support voice chat, though. There is a text-based chat option, and while it’s not meant to be used while driving, users can transition from voice to text chat once they arrive at their destinations.

Store Locators

You can also use Mapbox to create a store locator. If you own a chain brand with various branches, the store locator map will be useful in helping your customers find the closest branch.

Unlike Google, Mapbox allows you to customize which points of interest appear on the map.

Points of interest can help customers find which branch is most convenient for them to visit, but you probably don’t want competitors to show up on the map, and Mapbox allows you to hide them.

Travel Companies

One of the well-known companies that uses Mapbox is Lonely Planet, a company that provides travel guides.

You can create maps that people can use to discover where to go and find guides on destinations they are interested in.

Mapbox can also be used to plan road trips and book hotels all around the world, as it integrates with Hotel.com, a popular booking platform for hotels and serviced apartments.

The map can even be downloaded and used offline so visitors can explore their destinations upon arrival without using data.

Weather

Another use case for Mapbox is creating weather applications. Mapbox supports weather maps with satellite, radar, temperature, and other data.

Whether on desktop or mobile, your users will be able to see updated weather information and forecasts with weather maps. You can also upload your own weather data.

Within your weather or map app, you can provide users with updated alerts for their location, keeping them safe from blizzards, hurricanes, and other inclement weather conditions.

In fact, Mapbox is used by two of the most famous weather apps, including The Weather Company and the famous AccuWeather itself.

Address Search, Verification, and Auto-fill

Mapbox also offers a service in which you can let users search for addresses. They can enter an address and Mapbox will provide address suggestions to automatically fill out the rest of the address.

This is useful for ecommerce, for example, as it speeds up the checkout process.

That way, you don’t have to deal with incorrectly entered street names, zip codes, and other errors.

For database geocoding and address verification, Mapbox is highly efficient as well, using data from over 2,500 sources to ensure you don’t have incorrect address data in your database.

Pricing

Mapbox offers flexible pay-as-you-go pricing plans, with discounts available for volume pricing. Pricing depends on which service you are using, though.

Free plans are available for limited usage for every service and API.

For navigational apps, for example, it’s free for 100 monthly users and 1,000 active trips OR unlimited trips for 10 users. From there on, pricing goes up per user and per trip.

The more volume you have, the cheaper it becomes per user and per trip.

Similarly, for the Optimization API (which helps optimize delivery routes for delivery companies), pricing is free for up to 100,000 monthly API requests.

For Mapbox store locators, it’s free for 50,000 map loads a month, with pricing starting at $5 for each additional 1,000 map loads. In contrast, Google only offers 28,000 free loads per month.

Since pricing depends on the specific APIs you will be using, I suggest you check the pricing page for updated pricing information for your needs.

Do note that support costs extra. Individual support for developers costs $50/month, while support for businesses costs $6,000/year.

See here for updated pricing for support. If you would rather not pay for support, you can use the free community support resources.

Conclusion

Mapbox is a great solution for businesses looking to provide maps, navigational data, weather data, and similar features to their customers. It’s a solid tool if you want to create an app, even for yourself.

However, if you’re an individual looking for satellite data, navigational directions, or weather data for personal purposes, you’d be better served with apps like Google Earth, AccuWeather, and Google Maps.

The post Mapbox Review appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

It captures images from a fleet of satellites and offers a variety of tools to view and compare geospatial images.

In this review post, I will compare the different features of Planet Explorer. This will help you understand how you can use it for research and educational purposes and more!

Let’s get into it.

What Is Planet Explorer?

Planet.com provides solutions for the forestry, agriculture, energy, oil, and other industries, as well as local and national governments, including militaries.

You can also use it for research purposes.

Planet Explorer Features

Let’s talk about the different features and products available from Planet Explorer.

Satellite Images

Planet Explorer allows you to explore the world via satellite images. You can move the map to a location or enter it into the search bar.

You can then view a satellite map and zoom in to get additional details, such as street names. It’s easy to see terrain details, roads, and more.

Areas of Interest

Planet Explorer is particularly useful for analyzing specific areas. Using the tool on the right side of the screen, you can draw an area of interest you wish to analyze.

Various shapes are available, and you can also draw a custom shape around your area of interest.

As you can see in the screenshot above, I have created a circle around Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Once you specify an area of interest, things start to get exciting. You can start exploring “scenes” from that area of interest.

Scenes are just geospatial images captured by satellites. Exactly which satellite system the images are from will be specified; it’s usually PlanetScope or SkySat.

Typically, there will be multiple scenes for any given day. You can browse all the scenes available from that date or filter for specific scenes, such as those captured in high resolution only.

You can then order scenes for analysis. There are various types of analysis you can run.

You can take measurements, for example, and measure distances between places. We will talk more about how to compare data in the subsequent sections of this article.

You can always save a search so you can go back to it at a later date.

When saving a search, you can specify filters for notifications. When new images become available for your area of interest, you will get an email notification.

You can also create folders and organize your saved searches in folders.

Comparing Imagery

One of the best ways to analyze satellite images on Planet Explorer is to compare two scenes side by side.

These scenes can be taken from separate satellites or at different time points. The side by side comparison tool allows you to quickly see how the images from two satellites differ or which changes have occurred throughout the day you are analyzing the data for.

Once you select two scenes to analyze, you will be able to view them side by side. You can also compare opacity and relative luminance side by side.

Performing Spectral Analysis

When viewing your hosted data, you can perform spectral analysis of an area. For example, you can perform true color visualization with RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colors or perform a color infrared analysis.

You can also perform a spectral analysis using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index), VARI (Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index), and more.

High-Resolution Images

You can also order high-resolution images of your area of interest if you have a paid plan. These high-resolution images provide high-resolution snapshots of the areas you are researching.

They range from 50 cm to 80 cm in resolution.

Creating Time Lapse Stories

You can also create time-lapse animations in Planet Explorer. To do that, click on the Time Lapse option on the right side of your screen (it looks like a circle with a half moon inside it).

Start by selecting a place you want to create a time-lapse for. Then, select the start and end times at the bottom of the screen.

You can then add the imagery you would like to use for your time-lapse.

Time-Lapse Stories

There are various stories in the Stories database, which you can browse and view. These are just time-lapses created by others.

For example, as you can see in the screenshot above, you can see a time-lapse for San Rafael on April 18, 2024. The stories you will see towards the top are the most recent ones.

If you’re interested in seeing what is happening around the world from the view of satellites, you can check the Stories database regularly. It’s pretty interesting.

Who Is Planet Explorer For?

Planet Explorer isn’t useful if you simply want to view weather or satellite maps. It requires quite a bit of a learning curve and is best for organizations, nonprofits, governmental agencies, or individuals conducting in-depth research.

It is not free to use. You do get access to a two-week trial, during which you can access Planet Explorer, but you still need a plan to order high-resolution images and other tasking services.

There are quotas for using base maps and analyzing data. For example, if you select large areas of interest, you will use up your quotas faster.

You can always top up your quotas when they run out, but as you can see, it’s not meant for a hobbyist but for an organization with the financial means for it.

So, Planet Explorer is meant for larger scale organizations.

For example, Planet Explorer is perfect for environmental organizations.

Forest owners can monitor forests, and farmers can optimize harvest while conducting automated analysis of their lands. Obviously, we’re talking about large farming industries here and not farmers with small farms, who wouldn’t need such advanced solutions.

In one case study, Pan Pac Forests in New Zealand used cutover mapping with high-frequency satellite imagery to improve data accuracy and save time and costs.

For timber harvesting, for example, Planet Explorer’s mapping software can help you estimate how much timber you will be able to harvest over a given period.

Planet Explorer can also be used to map the effects of natural disasters or to detect the risks of future natural disasters and their potential impacts. It can also be used to conduct analysis to mitigate such risks.

In addition, it can be used to regularly monitor forests for spread of disease and overall tree health.

Not only that, but areas of deforestation can be pinpointed and addressed. Illegal deforestation can occur anywhere, and governmental organizations tasked with combating it can detect it early on, with the help of Planet Explorer, by analyzing historical trends.

Planet.com can help armed forces reduce operational risk by analyzing activity and issues in other countries and in maritime areas, improving response times.

It can help governments reduce on-site inspections, identify problems in strategic or protected areas, and support natural resource management and disaster management.

Is Planet Explorer Difficult to Use?

Planet Explorer has quite a learning curve involved, so much so that Planet.com dedicated a course to teaching you how to use it.

This course is part of Planet University, which is a series of courses from Planet.com covering how to use its tools most efficiently.

Pricing

Planet.com is not transparent about pricing. You need to contact support to learn about pricing.

You can start a free trial, during which you can use the basic tools of Planet Explorer, although you won’t be able to use the tasking dashboard and order tasks, like high-resolution images.

For that, you will need to request a subscription plan. Note that your plan will have quotas, so you will need to top up as necessary.

Conclusion

Planet Explorer is a useful tool for researchers, governments, armies, environmental organizations (such as non-profits), farmers, forest owners, oil and gas companies, and other large organizations.

It has a lot of useful tools, but it is not cheap. In addition, it is not the most user-friendly tool.

It has a lot of features that can be challenging to figure out, although Planet University courses can help you learn how to use the different tools. Pricing is also not clear and transparent upfront.

The post Planet Explorer Review appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

Some of these apps masquerade as system apps, enjoying advanced access permissions to your mobile operating system while going undetected. They may or may not have app icons visible from your app list.

Also Read: Best Unknown Android Apps

Explore: Best Android Launchers With Ads

Fake Android System Apps

Photo by Pixabay via Pexels

In this section, I will go over some apps that have been flagged by Avast to be fake.

Of course, this is only a small list. It is impossible to list all the fake apps out there, especially fake system apps, which often have similar names to legitimate system apps.

That’s why we will talk about tips for spotting fake apps in this article as well. We want to arm you with the knowledge and tools you will need to detect fake Android apps yourself.

With that said, here are some fake Android apps that may be mistaken for system apps by unknowing individuals.

1. AppLock X FREE
2. Colorful Call Screen & Phone Flash
3. Wi-Fi Secret Master
4. Calls ID Unlocker
5. Free Launcher X Pro
6. LED Border
7. Video Saver and Private Browser
8. WhoCall Caller ID and Spam Blocker
9. Wallpaper XYZ Pro
10. Ultra Camera HD
11. iOS Launcher X
12. SecVPN: Fast and Secure VPN
13. CosmosVPN
14. Easy iOS Launcher
15. XCall
16. Wi-Fi Security and VPN
17. AppLocker X Pro
18. DiskRecover: Photo and Files Recovery
19. Wi-Fi Unlock Password
20. TrueCaller ID: Caller ID, Spam Block and Chat

Note that the last app on the list is not to be confused with “TrueCaller: Caller ID & Block,” which is a legitimate app that allows you to check who has called you. The app on our list has a similar name that is designed to confuse people and get them to download the illegitimate version.

Also Read: Bad Android Apps You Should Delete

How Do Fake Apps End Up on Your Phone?

Photo by Czapp Árpád via Pexels

You might be wondering how a fake app might end up on your phone in the first place. That’s an excellent question, so let me explain how it happens.

Most of the time, fake system apps get bundled into other apps. For example, if you tend to download apps from third-party play stores and APK (Android Application Package) download sites, you might unwittingly download additional apps bundled into the app you thought you were downloading.

These extra apps are known as bloatware, which is sometimes harmless, but in our case, they can be extremely malicious. They often look like system apps, so you might not suspect you have just downloaded them.

Instead, you might not pay attention to such an app at all, thinking that it was always on your phone.

Fake apps might also masquerade as legitimate apps on the Google Play Store or third-party app stores. Like it or not, Google’s security measures are lacking in many ways, and some fake apps do fall through the cracks from time to time.

We will talk about how to spot a fake app next.

Check Out: Best Graphic Design Apps For Android

How to Spot a Fake App?

So, how can you spot a fake app? What are some telltale signs that an app is fake and not to be trusted?

Dubious Source

Trusted apps on Aptoide are mostly safe, but some illegitimate apps can slip through the cracks and end up on the site as well.

If the app comes from a dubious source, you should automatically be suspicious. Dubious sources are anything other than the Google Play Store and official developer sites.

Most apps, if legitimate, will be on the Google Play Store. Illegitimate apps instead wind up on third-party app stores, APK download sites, and other sketchy sites.

Not all of them are fake apps. There are a few reasons why a developer might not upload a site to the Google Play Store.

Often, it’s because the app provides pirated content, such as movies and TV series, for free.

Other than that, though, you have to ask yourself why the app is not on the Google Play Store. Google isn’t as strict as Apple when it comes to allowing apps on the app store, so why would a developer’s app be banned?

Occasionally, the developer just doesn’t have the money for the small fee involved in opening up a developer account (although it’s only $25). That may apply to open-source projects, for example.

In such cases, the developer might instead provide an APK file on their own website, but only download it if you trust the developer.

Otherwise, avoid third-party app stores, as they don’t always have adequate security measures in place.

Explore: Best Chess Apps For Android

Lack of Reviews

If you are downloading an app from the Google Play Store, be wary of apps with no reviews. A lack of reviews is a red flag.

It suggests that the app is new. Now, that’s not always a bad thing; sometimes, the app just needs more marketing.

At other times, though, the app is fake and was recently published to lure unsuspecting individuals to download it.

Once people catch onto it and report it, the developer will create another account and upload the app once again. They might even rename the app as something else!

You shouldn’t just look at how many reviews an app has or its overall rating. An app with too many good reviews that look like they were written by bots or don’t mention anything specific to the app are also causes for concern.

Legitimate reviews will often mention specific features of the app. If an app only has reviews that say things like “this is the best app” or “I love this app, and it is really wonderful,” it should raise your suspicions.

Check Out: Best Dating Apps For Android

Excessive Permission Requests

Photo by Lisa Fotios via Pexels

One of the biggest red flags of any app is requesting too many permissions. Why would a photo editing app need access to your call logs, for example?

Why would a camera app require access to your contact list and the ability to send SMS messages? One possible reason would be to send spam messages to your contacts.

While that’s not the only reason, and while there can be non-malicious reasons for an app to request excessive permissions, it’s a good idea to have your guard up about such permissions.

Explore: Best Live Sports Apps For Android

Symptoms of Fake Apps

So far, we’ve talked about how to spot fake apps to avoid downloading them. But how can you tell if a fake app is already installed on your device?

Are there any symptoms that may point to the fact you have unknowingly installed a malicious app?

Absolutely. Let’s see what they are in this section.

Excessive Battery Usage

Pxyaeq, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the first things you will notice if you installed a fake system app is excessive battery usage. Apps that are running malware often do a lot of work in the background.

This uses up your battery quickly. If your battery is suddenly draining, and you can’t figure out why, check the battery usage data in your battery settings.

Check for system apps that are eating up your battery. Typically, the largest apps using your battery will be non-system apps like Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Netflix, and TikTok, depending on which social media and entertainment apps you use most.

System apps, on the other hand, shouldn’t be taking up too much of your battery.

Check Out: Best Animation Apps For Android

Excessive Data Usage

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

Another red flag is excessive data usage. Malicious system apps that are infected with malware might be communicating with external servers and transmitting your private data over the internet.

That can result in excessive data usage. Some phones show you which apps are using the most data.

If your mobile data plan is suddenly being depleted too early, run an antivirus scan.

Check Out: Best PDF Editor Apps For Android

Unknown Charges

Photo by Cup of Couple via Pexels

Another common symptom of an illegitimate app is unknown charges on your credit cards, especially cards you have linked to your Google Play Store account.

Sometimes, fake apps can trick you into allowing charges, including recurring charges.

Unknown SMS Messages

Fake apps can also send SMS messages to people in your contacts list. These messages may contain links or ask the recipients to send money to a certain account through Zelle or PayPal, claiming you are in trouble and need help.

There are so many ways scammers can take advantage of SMS permissions. That’s why it’s important to be careful with the permissions you grant apps.

Also Read: How To Arrange Apps Alphabetically On Android?

Weird App Icons on Your Phone

One of the most important things to know about real system apps is that they don’t usually show up in your app tray. Instead, they only show up in your list of apps in your Android settings, and typically only if you enable the “Show System Apps” settings.

Apps that masquerade as system apps but are fake may have names that are very similar or identical to real system apps.

However, if you notice a new system app icon appearing in your app tray or list of regular (non-system) apps in your Android settings, it’s a red flag.

In addition, fake apps often have poorly designed icons. The reverse is not necessarily true, though; a well-designed icon doesn’t mean that the app is legitimate, as some scammers may put in effort in the design.

Explore: Best Drawing Apps For Android

Dangers of Fake Apps

Photo by Sora Shimazaki via Pexels

What are the dangers of having fake apps on your phone? Fake apps may contain:

• Spyware: Spyware is a type of malware that spies on what you do. It can read your text messages and access your pictures. It can even read your passwords, thus allowing attackers to gain access to your financial accounts.
• Ransomware: Mobile ransomware is one of the most terrifying forms of malware. It allows attackers to take control of your device and prevent you from accessing it unless you pay a ransom fee.
• Adware: Adware shows you ads you don’t want, often through browser redirects to gambling sites.

Also Read: Best Android Themes

How to Avoid Fake Apps?

So, how can you avoid fake apps? What should you do if you aren’t sure whether there are fake system apps on your phone?

Here are some tips to avoid fake system apps on Android.

Use Legitimate Sources

Only download apps from legitimate sources. There are plenty of third-party app stores out there, and while some of them are safe, many of them carry risks.

To stay on the safe side, it’s a good idea to only download apps from the Google Play Store.

Explore: Best App Locks For Android

Check Reviews

Before downloading an app, check its reviews.

A bad rating doesn’t mean the app contains malware; it might just be a poorly designed app. However, if people in the reviews mention malware, stay away.

However, having no ratings is cause for concern, as it shows not many people have used the app yet.

Pay for What Should Be Paid For

There are many apps, mostly available from third-party app stores and APK download sites, that let you “hack” YouTube, Spotify, and other paid apps.

These apps aim to provide you with YouTube Premium or Spotify Premium features for free. For example, a hacked version of YouTube might remove ads and allow background play for free.

Remember, though, that there is nothing free in this world. Anything that is free should be treated with suspicion: What might be the true cost of getting this thing for free?

As a general rule, if you want to play it safe, pay for premium versions of popular apps instead of looking for hacked versions online.

Check Out: Android Setup Keeps Stopping. How To Fix?

Use an Antivirus

Everyone should have an antivirus program installed on their phone. I recommend Malwarebytes or Avast.

Both are excellent programs that allow you to scan for malicious apps and files. If there are any fake system apps that you aren’t aware about, these antivirus programs will scan for them and find them.

Why should you use an antivirus program?

A lot of the time, fake system apps are difficult to detect because they are hidden from the app tray. The developers of these malicious apps often prevent these apps from showing up in the app tray, so people aren’t aware of them.

However, an antivirus program will scan your files and find these apps anyway.

I recommend scanning your phone at least once a week.

Also Read: How To Clear Other Storage On Android?

Conclusion

Listing all the fake system apps is near to impossible. However, we’ve provided you with the tools and knowledge you need to spot fake system apps.

Fake system apps may or may not appear in your regular app list in your app tray or in your list of apps in your settings. They might have poorly designed icons, and they will usually get picked up by an antivirus program.

To avoid fake system apps, avoid downloading apps from third-party app stores and APK download sites, as they may be bundled with fake system apps that you are unaware of.

Also, install antivirus software on your phone and conduct regular scans for illegitimate and fake system apps.

The post 20 Fake Android System Apps In 2024 appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

Unfortunately, most of the readily available applications on Fire Stick are not free. Apps like Netflix and Hulu have great content, but you must pay for them.

If you’re looking for free alternatives, stay here. In this article, I will explore some of the best free cinema apps for Fire TV Stick that provide a similar cinema experience.

Take a look.

How to Download These Apps?

It’s important to note that most of these apps cannot be downloaded directly from the Amazon App Store. Instead, you must download an APK (Android Application Package) file.

To do that, though, you must first allow third-party applications to be downloaded to your Fire Stick in your settings. Once you do that, you can use the Downloader app to enter URLs or search for APK files.

Cyberflix, one of our recommended apps, has a great step-by-step explanation on how to do this.

As you may know, Fire Stick is a fork of Android, so most APK files designed for Android will work on Fire Stick as well.

When downloading APK files, though, it’s important to exercise caution and only download them from trusted sources. I recommend running downloaded files through VirusTotal to scan for malware and malicious code before installing it.

You can scan the file on VirusTotal on your PC and then download it to your Fire Stick separately.

With that said, let’s get into the list.

Best Free Cinema Apps for Firestick

1. Pluto TV

The best cinema app for Fire Stick is Pluto TV, which provides free movies and TV shows across multiple genres. It is one of the most popular free streaming TV services.

You can get it on the Amazon App Store, unlike most other cinema apps for Fire Stick, which require you to download an APK. If you are worried about downloading an APK and allowing third-party apps to be installed on your Fire TV, Pluto is a safe choice.

Pluto TV offers both on-demand streaming and live TV shows. You can watch movies, comedy, classic TV shows, and a lot more.

2. Stremio

Another great cinema app for Fire Stick is Stremio. Stremio’s APK can be downloaded directly from its website, so if you’re worried about downloading APK files from third-party download websites, use Stremio.

One of the best things about Stremio is that it syncs across your devices. If you have it installed on other devices, you can easily switch from your Fire Stick to your phone, laptop, or computer and pick up where you left off.

It has a vast content library with tons of amazing movies and TV series, as it integrates with a wide range of streaming sources.

Those sources include YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and others, so you can get all the benefits of those streaming services (and more!) in one application.

With 4K resolution, you can enjoy a cinematic experience on your Fire Stick TV with the Stremio app.

3. BeeTV

BeeTV is an application for Fire Stick that works with multiple streaming sources. It allows you to crawl for movies by searching for keywords such as movie titles.

It even allows you to request movies or TV shows that are not currently available on the platform. While there is never a guarantee that it will become available, the developers will make it available if they can.

4. Cinema HD

Cinema HD is an application you can sideload to your Fire Stick. It allows you to stream cinematic movies, TV shows, series, and more.

It provides you with amazing TV shows and movies from around the world. It’s one of the most well known and oldest third-party cinema applications for Fire Stick.

5. Nova TV

Another excellent cinema and movie streaming application for Fire Stick is Nova TV. It provides access to live channels and movie streaming on demand.

It also allows you to stream popular TV series and shows. You can explore content by category, discover trending content, and check ratings for each series or movie.

Nova TV supports subtitles for over 225 languages (availability can depend on the movie), and it has an excellent, user-friendly interface that is free of clutter and easy to navigate.

6. TVZion

Another fantastic TV and cinema app for Amazon Fire Stick TVs is TVZion. TVZion has movies, TV shows, and more, and it allows you to explore recently aired content.

It is supported by ads, but there is an ad-free version, called ZionClub, that you can upgrade to. Otherwise, there are no other restrictions for free users; you can browse and watch to your heart’s content.

7. Cyberflix TV

Cyberflix TV offers a large selection of movies and shows. It has a powerful, fast server that allows you to stream and view TV series, movies, and more without lagging or buffering (although playback speeds also depend on your internet speeds).

Subtitles are available for more than 225 languages, and all movies and TV shows are displayed in HD quality.

Not only that, but one of the best things about Cyberflix TV is that it doesn’t have ads!

8. Tea TV

Tea TV has an outstanding selection of blockbusters, classic, and popular TV series. It has a beautiful interface that is easy to navigate, and you can easily browse and discover shows by category, genre, and popularity.

There is also live TV, which is a great option if you want up-to-date content.

You can add subtitles or dubbing, and you can filter for and find HD content.

9. FilmPlus

FilmPlus is an application that provides links for a variety of TV shows and movies from several sources.

Films are available in more than 15 languages, and subtitles are available in more than 50 languages, allowing everyone, from all backgrounds, to enjoy it. More than 100 movies are available in 4K quality,

It has a nice user interface that is easy to navigate, and it is entirely free to use. Not only that, but it supports offline viewing.

10. HDO BOX

Finally, we have HDO BOX, which is a wonderful application for Fire Stick that allows you to watch movies and TV shows in action, comedy, sci-fi, and other genres.

It has a beautiful and user-friendly interface, with support for subtitles in different languages. Over 25 languages are supported!

HDO BOX provides free access to HD content.

Conclusion

There are plenty of amazing cinema apps you can use on your Fire Stick. The good news is that the Fire Stick requires only a one-time purchase, after which you can use these cinema apps for free, without paying any monthly subscription fees.

I recommend Pluto TV, since it’s available from the Amazon App Store as a safe and secure download. However, Stremio and the others are good choices as well.

The post 10 Best Free Cinema Apps For Firestick appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

It’s designed primarily for organizations and corporations, although you can use it for personal use as well.

In this ArcGIS Map review, I will go over various features of ArcGIS Online. If you’re wondering whether ArcGIS would be any good for you, keep on reading!

Also Read: Marble Review

Also Read: Nasa Worldview Review

ArcGIS Online Overview

ArcGIS Online is a web-based mapping application, offered as a SaaS (Software as a Service) to commercial users. You can use it to create maps and display data to your users.

It’s used extensively by local governments, including cities, for purposes such as road network planning. It’s also used for gas and electric line mapping, forestry mapping, aviation, and emergency response management (in other words, emergency response centers use it for planning optimized response times).

Many educational institutions also use ArcGIS Online for educational purposes. However, many individuals use it as well, and a personal license is provided for personal use.

It has extensive collaboration capabilities, allowing you to work together with your team and work on city plans and other projects.

ArcGIS Online also allows you to visualize and analyze data. It’s a powerful application, but it’s not free, although it does offer a free trial and limited licenses for personal and educational use.

Read on to learn more about it.

Check Out: Zoom Earth Review

Creating Maps on ArcGIS

ArcGIS allows you to create maps online. Your first step is choosing a base map, after which you can add layers of visualization.

You can then apply styles to your map and add pop-ups.

Base Maps

As you can see in the following screenshot, there are several types of base maps. Some display satellite imagery, others display topographic or street information, and yet others display a night view.

Check Out: Waze Map Alternatives

The choice is yours, depending on your needs. You can create a city street map or a terrain map, and you can even change the background color.

Layers

Once you’ve chosen your base map, you can add layers. Layers can come from several sources; if you don’t have any of your own, you can select layers from the ArcGIS Online or Living Atlas databases.

For example, as you can see in the following screenshot, here is a small sample of the layers you can find from the Living Atlas database:

• National Weather Service 72-Hour Temperature Forecast
• USA Short-Term Weather Warnings
• Recent Hurricanes, Cyclones, and Typhoons
• Recent Earthquakes

Check Out: Satellites Pro Review

All of those layers were created by Esri. However, the ArcGIS Online database has many contributors; here are some of the layers available from third parties:

• Alectra Outage Map
• Real_Time_Traffic_Volume_and_Speed_Current_All_Directions_TDA
• Ontario Trail Network (OTN) Access Point

Of course, as an organization, you can create your own map. Electric companies can create outage maps, while cellular companies can create coverage maps and provide that to customers.

ArcGIS Online is thus very customizable. If you’re an individual, you might be interested in various weather phenomena, and ArcGIS Online is perfect for that.

However, you might also be interested in creating other maps for personal use, such as trail hiking access points. It’s up to you.

Check Out: Best Google Earth Alternatives

Tables

You can also add tables to your maps. Once again, you can create your own tables or add those from one of the available databases.

For example, one interesting table you can add to your map from Living Atlas is “Historical County Population (1990–2019) by Expanded Races & Hispanic/Non-Hispanic.”

It provides historical data for US counties, breaking up county demographics based on race, sex, and Hispanic origin.

Another table, from the ArcGIS Online database, provides information on building violation liens in Miami-Dade County, with data provided by Miami-Dade County, Florida, regarding liens in the county.

Also Read: Best Zoom Earth Alternatives

Creating Scenes

In addition to creating maps, you can create “scenes.” Scenes are representations of geographic information and other data in 3D (three-dimensional), allowing you to create realistic visualizations from data.

In addition to 3D scenes on a globe, you can create local scenes, which display local data on a projected coordinate system. This option is best for visualizing local data important for your city.

As with maps, you can add layers to provide additional information in your scenes.

Furthermore, you can capture screenshots from your scenes at different points to create a slide presentation.

Check Out: Waze vs Apple Maps

Creating Web Apps

Once you have created a map, you can create a web app, so people can visit it online and view it. You can use ArcGIS Hub to create your own personalized branded website and web app, although there are various other available website builders as well.

Either way, you can configure your website and add functionalities, side-by-side map viewing, and other features for your visitors.

The following is a table displaying the various website builders you can use and their features.

Collaboration and Sharing

One of the best things about ArcGIS Online is that it makes collaboration easy. You can form groups, with layers, tables, and other data available to members of the group so they can add them when creating maps.

The account administrator decides which users have access to which data and which users can create or edit maps.

Collaboration allows emergency response teams across counties, for example, to work with the same data.

With administrative dashboards and batch workflows that allow you to manage accounts that have thousands of users, ArcGIS Online is perfect for large corporations, city governments, and other large organizations.

There are also highly customizable sharing options. You can share data and maps privately, within your organization, or with the public.

As mentioned, you can create your own web app with your maps. However, you can also embed your maps in your blog posts, websites, and social media posts.

Also Read: Google Earth vs Google Maps

Analyzing and Working With Data

ArcGIS Online offers powerful tools for working with data. You can import your organization’s data from spreadsheets, geospatial images, and other sources.

You can also add location data and put data from tables onto the map. Using predefined geographical filters, such as postal codes, you can break down your data by location or region.

Explore: Best Google Maps Alternatives

Pricing

ArcGIS Online offers flexible pricing, depending on your needs.

To start with, you can sign up for a 21-day free trial, during which you will have access to the ArcGIS Online suite of tools for free, for a limited time. Check the table below to see which features you get access to during your free trial.

What you get after that depends on which license you want to sign up for. Let’s go over some of the licenses and US pricing options available.

• Individuals: Individuals who want to use ArcGIS for personal use must pay $100/year. Commercial use is prohibited on this plan; you can only use for personal research, projects, and hobbies.
• Students: The student plan also costs $100/year. If you’re a student trying to build a portfolio while in school, this is the plan for you. Note that while features are mostly the same as the personal license, there are some slight variations.
• Creator: The Creator license for professionals, which allows you to create and share maps for commercial use, costs $550/year.
• Viewer: A professional Viewer license is a dependent license that requires someone in the team to have a Creator license. It allows the user to view maps and monitor project performance. It costs $110/year.
• Mobile Worker: Another dependent license, this license allows a team member to use apps to collect data and conduct surveys in the field. It costs $385/year.
• Editor: This is another dependent professional license. It costs $220/year and allows the user to edit maps and add data but not create maps.

Note that these licenses only cover ArcGIS Online. If you want ArcGIS Professional, which is the more powerful desktop application that allows you to combine 3D, CAD (Computer-Aided Design, often used by architects), and other imagery, prices start from $765/year and go up to $4,150/year, depending on your needs.

As always, check the pricing page for updated pricing information.

Check Out: Best MapQuest Alternatives

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a professional mapping software for research, personal projects, city planning, or corporate use, ArcGIS might be the right choice.

It’s one of the best software of its kind for its intended target audience.

However, if you’re simply interested in a satellite map or weather map you can view online, there are tons of free alternatives that don’t cost any money and which don’t involve a learning curve.

The post ArcGIS Map Review appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

Today, I will be reviewing Satellites.pro. I will explore its features, user experience, and more.

If you’re wondering whether Satellites.pro is any good, read on!

Check Out: Marble Review

Also Read: Nasa Worldview Review

Satellites.pro Overview

Satellites.pro is a free satellite map, available in your browser, which you can use to explore Earth. It is powered by highly accurate satellite imagery and allows you to zoom in with high-resolution imagery.

Not only that, but it provides maps from various sources. So, not only can you view satellite maps, but you can also view street maps from Google Maps and other sources.

Let’s dig a bit deeper into the features of Satellites.pro.

Check Out: Zoom Earth Review

Types of Maps

There are two types of map views available on Satellites.pro.

Satellite View

The Satellite view is the default view. It shows images captured from satellites.

You can use your mouse or cursor to navigate around the globe or zoom into a specific country or region. Alternatively, you can use the drop-down menu at the top of the page to select or search for a specific country.

One thing really going for Satellites.pro is that you zoom in as much as you want. It’s kind of similar to Google Earth in that sense.

As you zoom in, you will start seeing houses, streets, and more details, as shown in the screenshot below.

Explore: Arcgis Map Review

You can use it to explore your childhood home or check out an area you intend to travel to. It’s really cool and a lot of fun to use.

Of course, there is a limit to how much you can zoom in; at a certain point, you just won’t be able to zoom in anymore.

By default, the satellite view uses a combination of satellite imagery and details pulled from Apple Maps.

Check Out: Waze Map Alternatives

Flat Map View

The “plan” map shows you a flat map, without satellite imagery. It is similar to any map application you would find on your phone, such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, or OpenStreetMap.

Again, by default, it is based on Apple Maps, although you can change this in the settings.

Once again, you can zoom in, but it won’t show houses, trees, or other satellite images. Instead, it will show flat terrain details (such as rivers and areas of forestry) and road networks.

Check Out: Best Google Earth Alternatives

Map Sources

So far, we have discussed the two map views. However, there are four map sources that power these two maps; let’s talk about them.

Apple Maps

Apple Maps is owned by Apple. It is the default map source used on Satellites.pro.

It supports both satellite view and flat view.

Also Read: Best Zoom Earth Alternatives

OpenStreetMap

Instead of using Apple Maps for the flat map view, you can use OpenStreetMap.

OpenStreetMap is a global project, driven by volunteers around the world who contribute to the project by adding map details.

It is an open-source project and one of the best alternatives to Apple Maps, Google Maps, and other proprietary map projects funded and owned by large corporations.

OpenStreetMap does not support satellite view, only flat view. It not only shows rivers, areas of forestry, road networks, and road names, but it also shows you borders between regions, such as states and counties.

It also supports temperature labels, which display the current temperature on the map, as shown in the screenshot above.

Google Maps

Another supported source is Google Maps. Google Maps supports both satellite view and flat map view.

With satellite view and Google Maps, you can zoom in to see Google Maps data overlaid on satellite imagery.

Check Out: Waze vs Apple Maps

As you can see in the screenshot, you can see businesses registered on Google Maps alongside satellite imagery. It’s pretty cool!

In flat view mode, you will see a standard version of Google Maps, similar to the one you might see on your phone when getting directions to a new destination.

Yandex Maps

Finally, you can use Yandex Maps as a source. Yandex Maps is owned by Yandex, a Russian company that is Russia’s alternative to Google.

Yandex has its own search engine and even a taxi hailing service called Yandex Taxi! Yandex Taxi operates mostly in Russia and some post-Soviet countries, like Georgia, as well as various countries in the Middle East and Africa.

In any case, you can use Yandex Maps as a source for both satellite and flat map views.

Also Read: Google Earth vs Google Maps

Which One Should You Choose?

I prefer Google Maps. That’s just my personal preference; I feel like it’s easier to find accurate business information than Apple Maps, as more people use Google Maps globally.

It’s definitely more accurate than OpenStreetMap. While I appreciate the open-source nature of the OpenStreetMap project, when I need directions or information about a business, accuracy is my top priority.

Google Maps is more accurate than OpenStreetMap because it has professional editing and oversight that is reliable, unlike OpenStreetMap, which is driven by volunteers.

Most of all, I like reading Google reviews of businesses I am interested in visiting, as I find them the most helpful compared to other sources.

The only time I would use Yandex Maps over Google Maps is if I happen to be visiting Russia or other post-Soviet countries, or countries that are part of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), like Belarus, Moldova, and Kazakhstan.

I’ve never been to any of those countries myself, but it’s safe to assume that Yandex is quite accurate over there and perhaps more accurate than Google Maps due to its large presence and ubiquitous use.

Tools

Let’s talk about some of the other tools that Satellites.pro offers.

Distance Measurements

There is a measurement tool that you can use to measure the distance between two points on the map. In the example shown in the screenshot above, I have used it to measure the distance between Albuquerque and Oklahoma City.

Note that actual driving distances can vary depending on road networks. Fortunately, Satellites.pro has something for that as well.

Explore: Best Google Maps Alternatives

Navigational Directions

One of the best things about Satellites.pro is that you can use it to get navigational directions, just like you would on Google Maps or Apple Maps.

All you have to do is select a starting point and a destination. Enter an exact address or the name of a building or business.

Then, select whether you want driving, walking, cycling, or public transit routes.

It’s really easy to use and very helpful.

Weather Data

Satellites.pro has a handy button on the left side of the page that allows you to quickly view weather data. If you want more detailed weather information, you can do so as well.

The detailed forecast shows you the upcoming forecast for the next few days, the temperature forecast, and the precipitation forecast. It also shows you the current humidity, wind speeds, and more.

If you want the weather forecast for your specific location, use the “Find My Location” button on the left side of the screen, which takes you to your current location. Then, click on the weather forecast option.

Note that the availability of the measuring tool, navigational directions, and weather data depends on which map source you are using. If you don’t see any of these three options, simply switch to a different source.

Does Satellites.pro Have Ads?

Yes. One of the disadvantages of Satellites.pro is that it has ads – and lots of them.

There is an ad at the bottom of the screen and another one in the upper-right corner. As if these ads weren’t annoying enough, there are also ads that appear when you reload the page (such as when you switch from one map source to another).

Those ads take up the entire screen and must be closed before you can reload the page.

Check Out: Best MapQuest Alternatives

Conclusion

Satellites.pro is good, not only because it’s free but because it blends different map types and sources together.

You can use it as an alternative to Google Earth and Google Maps in one application. One can get basic weather information, measure distances, get directions, and more.

Try it sometime and experience it for yourself.

The post Satellites.pro Review appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

While the Joy-Con has many advantages and comes with features such as motion tracking for certain games and haptic feedback, which Nintendo calls “HD Rumble,” it also has several major flaws.

First of all, Joy-Cons are a bit small, and your hands can feel uncomfortable after many hours of playing. In addition, Joy-Cons are known to suffer from Joy-Con drift, a phenomenon in which the buttons register input, even if you didn’t do anything.

That can make your characters move by themselves. It’s very annoying, and it’s one of the main reasons people look for a Joy-Con alternative.

In this article, I will be showing you the best controllers for Nintendo Switch apart from the Joy-Con. The good news is that the Switch is compatible with third-party controllers, and there are many options out there.

Note that there are two types of Joy-Con alternatives. Some attach to your Switch, with buttons on the sides and your Switch in the middle, just like Joy-Cons.

Although they may have benefits such as avoiding drift, special lighting effects, and larger buttons, they may still feel a bit uncomfortable during extended periods of gameplay.

The second type of Joy-Con alternative is the handheld controller, which usually connects to your Switch wirelessly. These are easier to hold in your hands over extended periods.

I will be including both of these options in this list, so make sure you know which one you want before buying one.

Let’s get into it.

Also Read: Best Nintendo Switch Alternatives

Thumbnail

Title

Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro (Black) Ergonomic Controller for Handheld Mode - Officially Licensed By Nintendo

8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter for Switch, Windows, Mac & Raspberry Pi - Compatible with Xbox, PS5 Controllers

DOYOKY binbok Joy Pad Controller for Switch/Switch OLED, Wireless Joy Con Switch Controller 8 Colors Adjustable LED Joypad Controller with Back Map Button/Turbo/Motion Control (white&grey)

NexiGo Gripcon (Gen 2), No Deadzone, Enhanced Switch/Switch OLED Controller for Handheld Mode, Adjustable LED Light, Ergonomic Design, 6-Axis Gyro, Turbo, Mapping, Clear Ice

8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller for Switch, PC, Android, Steam Deck, Gaming Controller for iPhone, iPad, macOS and Apple TV (Gray Edition)

Star Rating

-

-

-

-

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro (Black) Ergonomic Controller for Handheld Mode - Officially Licensed By Nintendo

Star Rating

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter for Switch, Windows, Mac & Raspberry Pi - Compatible with Xbox, PS5 Controllers

Star Rating

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

DOYOKY binbok Joy Pad Controller for Switch/Switch OLED, Wireless Joy Con Switch Controller 8 Colors Adjustable LED Joypad Controller with Back Map Button/Turbo/Motion Control (white&grey)

Star Rating

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

NexiGo Gripcon (Gen 2), No Deadzone, Enhanced Switch/Switch OLED Controller for Handheld Mode, Adjustable LED Light, Ergonomic Design, 6-Axis Gyro, Turbo, Mapping, Clear Ice

Star Rating

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Thumbnail

Title

8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller for Switch, PC, Android, Steam Deck, Gaming Controller for iPhone, iPad, macOS and Apple TV (Gray Edition)

Star Rating

-

Prime Status

Details

Buy on Amazon

Best Joy-Con Alternatives

1. Hori Split Pad Pro

The Hori Split Pad Pro for Switch is the best Joy-Con alternative out there. It is officially licensed by Nintendo, so you can expect it to work seamlessly with your Nintendo Switch, without any glitches or bugs.

It is best if you want to play handheld games but feel like the Joy-Con is too small for your hands. The Hori Split Pad Pro also attaches to your Nintendo Switch but is a bit bigger and more comfortable than the standard Joy-Con.

Overall, the grip feels better and the buttons, triggers, and D-pad are larger as well. It also supports assignable rear buttons and a turbo function.

Also Read: DS4 Windows Alternatives

2. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Check Price on Amazon

Another great alternative to the Joy-Con for the Switch is the Switch Pro Controller from Nintendo. It feels great and has an excellent battery life, lasting around 40 hours on each charge.

It comes with a USB-C cable for charging and has a satisfying retro look and feel.

All in all, it’s a great controller, and you can also use it with other devices like your PC.

Check Out: Can You Track Nintendo Switch?

3. 8BitDo USB Adapter 2

Check Price on Amazon

The 8BitDo USB Adapter 2 is an interesting one. It’s not a controller itself but rather an adapter for a controller, and it works with the Switch and other devices, such as Windows, macOS, and Steam Deck.

Let’s say you have an Xbox or PlayStation controller, and you would like to use it with your Switch. The best way to do that is by using the 8BitDo USB Adapter.

It supports macros with button combinations, button mapping, and other customizations. All you need to do is insert it into your Switch once you have connected it to your controller, and you will then be able to use it.

You can use it with a wide range of controllers, including various Xbox series, different versions of PlayStation, some Wii controllers, and others.

Check Out: Best Nintendo DS Emulators For iOS

4. Funlab Luminous Joy-Cons

Check Price on Amazon

The Luminous Joy-Cons from Funlab have amazing designs. They have LED lighting effects with hidden light-up patterns, although if you turn the LED lights off, you won’t see them, and it will look just like any other controller.

The lighting comes in seven colors, and you can have the lights change colors.

These controllers are not just good for the aesthetics, as they also have features that enhance your gaming experience.

For example, it supports motion control and turbo functions, as well as back buttons with personalized controls.

It also has an ergonomic design, leading to a comfortable gaming experience, even during long periods of gameplay.

Explore: Best Gamestop Alternatives

5. DOYOKY Binbok Joypad Controller

Check Price on Amazon

The DOYOKY Binbok Joypad controller has an adjustable LED ring light with several colors. It looks incredibly cool, as it comes with several lighting modes.

It also offers several vibration modes to allow you to feel the game as you play along. The controller also supports six-axis gyro motion controls, a turbo function, and other useful features to enhance gaming.

The back of the controller has programmable buttons but also an anti-skid design to improve your grip and prevent the controller from slipping during gameplay, increasing precision.

Check Out: Best PC Games With Steering Wheel Support

6. NexiGo Gripcon (Gen 2)

Check Price on Amazon

Another really cool alternative to the Joy-Con is the NexiGo Gripcon 2nd Generation, which lights up in one of the most remarkable ways. It has a rainbow breathing mode, an RGB color cycling mode, and a brightness adjustment mode.

The RGB ring lights around the joysticks will enhance your gaming experience and make gaming more fun.

The two back buttons are programmable, while it supports a turbo function for extra-fast gameplay. In fact, there are three turbo modes, so it’s pretty customizable!

With haptic feedback powered by two motors, it comes close to matching the Joy-Con itself; the six-axis gyroscope improves motion sensing accuracy.

It avoids the drift that is common with Joy-Cons, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted input.

Simply attach it to your Switch and start playing.

Explore: Best Sites Like Newegg

7. 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller

Check Price on Amazon

The 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth controller is a great alternative to the Joy-Con. It works wirelessly, over Bluetooth, instead of attaching to the sides of your Switch.

Note that this is not an adapter but an actual controller.

It also works with other operating systems, including Steam Deck, Android, and iOS.

It comes with motion control, rumble vibrations, a four-way mode switching button, and other useful features. It can be charged with a USB-C cable and lasts around 20 hours on a single charge.

Also Read: Best Geforce Now Alternatives

8. NYXI Wizard Switch Gamecube Controller

Check Price on Amazon

The NYXI Wizard Switch Gamecube controller prides itself on its precision and accuracy. You won’t have to worry about drift due to the “Hall Effect” joystick built into this controller.

The customizable buttons can light up in different colors, depending on your settings, with configurable color effects for your enjoyment.

With its six-axis gyroscope motion sensing technology, you can truly immerse yourself in your games, feeling the vibrations as you turn.

It comes with haptic feedback with adjustable vibration intensities (there are five levels), as well as a customizable turbo response. For enhanced and quick gameplay, you can also take advantage of the mechanical trigger.

The style of this controller is a bit different from many other controllers, as it has a retro style that makes you feel like you went back in time.

Also Read: Best Xpadder Alternatives

9. Gammeefy Controller for Switch

Check Price on Amazon

The Gammeefy controller attaches to your Switch but is pretty large, with grip materials on either side, making it the perfect alternative to Joy-Cons for avoiding cramped hands while playing for extended periods of time.

The two grip pads on either side are sweat-proof and feel comfortable in your hand while avoiding slipping.

The controller also comes with large buttons and D-pads.

It comes with a turbo function with three speeds and an auto-attack mode for faster gameplay. The two motors provide enhanced and accurate feedback via vibrations for certain games, allowing you to immerse yourself in your games and feel them as you play them.

Meanwhile, the six-axis gyro sensor can detect gravity and motion changes for motion sensing games.

Explore: Best Joy2Key Alternatives

10. Gammeefy Wireless Switch Pro Controller for Nintendo Switch

Check Price on Amazon

Gammeefy also sells a wireless Switch Pro controller that doesn’t attach to your Switch but rather can be used separately. This one has adjustable LED lights in nine colors, with the ability to switch between colors as you wish.

There are three light modes, including the flashing light mode and breathing light mode. You can also have the lights always on or turn them off entirely.

That leads to an incredible experience when gaming at night – trust me on that!

It is also compatible with other operating systems, including Android, iOS, and Windows.

The controller comes with two programmable back buttons, which you can program with 16 different functions. It has a six-axis gyro sensor for motion detection and four vibration settings for haptic feedback while you play, similar to the HD Rumble from Joy-Con, powered by two motors.

The turbo mode comes with three speeds. The controller will last up to 15 hours on a single charge with its new and upgraded battery.

Check Out: Bluestacks vs Nox

11. Nyko Dualies Controller Set for Nintendo Switch

Check Price on Amazon

If you’re looking for a very affordable alternative to the Nintendo Joy-Con, try the Nyko Dualies. They might look cheap, but they do the job, and they have an ergonomic design to improve grip and allow for extended playtime without discomfort.

Since it comes in a pair (hence the name “Dualies”), it’s great if you want to play competitive games in two-player mode with a friend or family member.

It comes with a gyroscope sensor to detect tilts and other motions during gameplay for motion sensing games. Adjustable turbo mode and haptic vibration feedback are also supported, which I was surprised to learn, given the fairly low price of this set.

The Dualies come with a USB-C cable for charging, although if you want to charge your controller during gameplay, you will need an additional USB cable that is not included.

12. Retroflag Handheld Controller

Check Price on Amazon

The Retroflag controller is one of my favorite alternatives to the Joy-Con. It’s a one-piece controller in which you can insert your Switch, with controls on either side.

It has a turbo button for fast gameplay, as well as a motion sensor and vibration. The hall sensor joystick helps prevent the infamous Joy-Con drift.

It even comes with a fast charging feature, allowing you to bring the controller to full charge within a shorter period of time.

Overall, it has a nice and simple retro look, with white and colored buttons.

13. Coiorvis Joypad Controller

Check Price on Amazon

The Coiorvis controller has a streamlined design to avoid stress and strain on your hands during gameplay, allowing you to play for longer periods.

With programmable buttons to which you can map functions and a six-axis gyroscope sensor to detect feedback, it’s incredibly versatile.

The haptic feedback is just icing on the cake, though. One of the things I liked most about this controller is the tabletop mode, made possible by the controller stand.

With anti-drift technology, it’s a great alternative to Joy-Cons.

Also Read: Best MacroGamer Alternatives

14. Belopera Switch Controller

Check Price on Amazon

The Belopera controller is a one-piece controller for Switch, with anti-slip grip pads on either side that allow for better grip and extended gameplay. It has large buttons and is made of high-quality ABS material that is durable and long-lasting.

It has a turbo function with three settings from five to 20 shots per second, and the auto-attack mode will help you attack your enemies and win with less effort.

The dual motors provide haptic vibration feedback during your games, while the sensors detect motion during gameplay.

Overall, it’s much larger and more comfortable to use than Joy-Cons.

15. NYXI Hyperion Meteor Light Wireless Joy-Pad

Check Price on Amazon

This modern-looking wireless controller from NYXI, a brand we had encountered earlier in this article, will round up our list. The LED lights come in eight colors and sync with your gameplay for a satisfying gaming experience.

With three light breathing modes, it’s a joy to play.

The ergonomic design makes gaming easy on your hands and fingers, while the turbo function, vibration feedback, and motion sensing allow you to immerse yourself in your games.

Conclusion

Joy-Con is not for me, primarily because of the drift, which is incredibly annoying and sometimes causes me to lose points during a game.

As you can see, there are two types of controllers you can get as an alternative to the Joy-Con.

One is a handheld one that works wirelessly, while the other attaches to your Switch and can charge via your Switch.

Both of them work for me. I like the one that integrates with the Switch for shorter games, while I prefer the wireless controllers for when I play games for extended times, as my hands often hurt with the integrated controller.

Just make sure that you get the right controller for your needs. Most controllers will come with vibration feedback, motion sensing, and turbo function and motion sensing is important for many games.

Others come with LED lighting, which mostly adds in aesthetics but not functionality.

The post 15 Best Joy-Con Alternatives appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

It has over 500 million user-generated flashcard sets and more than 60 million active users, with features like adaptive learning algorithms, expert solutions, and interactive study modes.

If you’re wondering whether Quizlet is any good, read on. Today, I will be answering that question in this Quizlet review.

Quizlet: An Overview

Quizlet was founded by Andrew Sutherland, who was then a 15-year-old student, in 2005. It’s one of the most popular educational sites in the US and around the world.

It has a vast library of quizzes, matching games, flashcards, and expert solutions on numerous topics. Quizlet is free to use, and both students and teachers can sign up.

First, let’s talk about the features Quizlet offers for students. Afterward, I will cover how teachers can benefit from creating a teacher account.

Also Read: Best Quizlet Alternatives

Quizlet Features for Students

Flashcards

Quizlet is best-known for its flashcards. There are over 500 million study sets on Quizlet, and one of the best ways to practice these question sets is to use them in flashcard form.

Some of these study sets are created by teachers and professional educators, while many others are created by students. Those marked as created by a teacher are best.

You can click on a flashcard to reveal its answer.

Matching Games

Matching games are similar to flashcards, but you have to match the questions and answers (or a phrase and its explanation) yourself. You will be shown several cards, and your job will be to match them correctly in record time.

A timer will time your progress.

Also Read: Brightful Review

Tests

You can also use the question sets in the form of practice exams, where you have to answer questions.

There are a few options for Quizlet practice tests. You can decide whether the questions should be multiple choice or have true/false answers, for example.

Another option is writing the answers in your own words.

You are not restricted to taking the practice tests online. You can print them out as PDFs, as shown in the image below.

Also Read: Best Anki Alternatives

That way, you can practice offline, either by yourself or with friends. If you are instructing a class, you can also print out the practice exams for your students.

If you do opt to take the practice exams online, though, you will receive an automatic grade at the end of the quiz. You will be able to pinpoint areas in which you need improvement, making these tests a valuable tool for preparing for your real exams.

Check Out: Gimkit Review

Expert Solutions

Quizlet also has a section with expert solutions for problems you might encounter in your textbooks. There are millions of solutions available, and you can easily search for a textbook using its name or ISBN (International Standard Book Number).

The expert solutions are laid out step by step, in an easy-to-understand format.

Studying from textbooks can sometimes be difficult, especially if you get stuck and can’t ask anyone for help. These expert solutions will make your life easier.

Explore: Quizalize Review

Q-Chat: AI Tutor

Q-Chat is Quizlet’s AI chatbot.

It is powered by ChatGPT and can be used for quizzing yourself and getting explanations on topics you are struggling with.

While it uses ChatGPT’s API, it is focused primarily on education. It is available in the US and several other countries, but it is not yet currently available worldwide.

Folders

Quizlet allows you to create folders to organize your question sets. You can create one folder for math question sets, for example, and another folder for all physics question sets in your library.

Also Read: Ahaslides Review

Quizlet for Teachers Features

Live Games

Quizlet Live allows you to host live games in your classroom. Gamified learning can help increase engagement and make learning fun.

You can set up teams to add a competitive aspect to the gameplay, or you can have students play the game solo.

All you have to do is pick a question set from the library (or create your own), and Quizlet Live will turn it into a game.

Students can join the game with a special game code or by scanning a QR.

The games are very simple and basic, and they’re pretty much the same as flashcards and multiple-choice questions. However, students will get ranked based on their answers, and you can monitor their progress and select the winner.

Also Read: Genially Review

Quizlet Checkpoint

Quizlet Checkpoint is built on Quizlet Live. It allows you to create and host live quizzes, games and other activities to test your students’ knowledge.

It comes with in-depth reports to help you identify which students are struggling and which topics they need help with.

It’s a great way to make assessments more fun and enjoyable for students.

Class Progress

With the Class Progress feature, you can keep track of your students’ progress. You can see which students have completed their assignments and which students are lagging behind.

Class Progress is included in Quizlet Plus for Teachers.

Also Read: Mentimeter Review

Quizlet Pricing

While Quizlet is free to use, it does have a Quizlet Plus plan. The monthly price is $7.99/month, while the annual price is $35.99/year, which comes out to around $3 a month.

See updated pricing here.

What if you want to purchase Quizlet Plus for your school? Group pricing is available as well.

Discounts apply to purchases of two or more licenses of Quizlet Plus. You can see updated group pricing here.

Note that group pricing is only available for yearly billing, not monthly billing.

Also, when you sign up for Quizlet Plus, whether you get a group discount or not, make sure you are getting the right type of account. Quizlet Plus and Quizlet Plus for Teachers offer different features.

So, what is included in Quizlet Plus?

Also Read: Blooket Review

Q-Chat AI Tutor

The Q-Chat AI tutor chatbot is only available to Plus subscribers. Free members can try it out for free, but after using up their limited messages, they will need to upgrade.

No Ads

Quizlet is supported by ads. If you upgrade to Plus, you will enjoy an ad-free experience.

The ads can be slightly annoying if you’re trying to study without distractions.

Unlimited Tests and Expert Solutions

Quizlet only gives you access to a limited number of tests on a question set. For unlimited tests, you will need to upgrade.

Similarly, with Plus, you get access to the entire library of expert solutions.

Check Out: Bamboozle Review

Custom Study Sets

As a student with a Plus subscription, you can create customized study sets, complete with audio, highlights, images, and more.

As a teacher with a Plus subscription, you can add rich text, diagrams, and other interactive elements to your study sets. You can also customize your Quizlet Live games and switch from one mode to another while playing a game.

Conclusion

Quizlet is one of the most popular study guides for a reason. With over 500 million question sets, you can easily find supporting materials to help you learn just about any subject for any grade level, from preschool to university.

The site is also very intuitive and offers a great user experience. The flashcards and practice exams are very helpful, and many students find that Quizlet helps them memorize important concepts and prepare for exams.

Meanwhile, the expert solutions provide quick and easy explanations to challenging textbook problems.

As a teacher, you can use Quizlet to quiz your students and make things a bit more enjoyable in the classroom. You can also track your students’ progress and help them improve in areas they are struggling in.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a truly gamified learning solution, with actual games like Snakes & Ladders, you’re going to have to look elsewhere. Quizlet only has basic gamified quizzes and questions.

The post Quizlet Review appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

The map can be accessed online and is free to use.

But is NASA Worldview any good? Is it intuitive for new users, or are there better alternatives that are easier to use?

In this NASA Worldview review, I will be exploring its features and more, so read on!

Check Out: Marble Review

Check Out: Zoom Earth Review

NASA Worldview Overview

NASA Worldview is powered by NASA’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System, which is part of NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program. It is one of the most powerful systems in the world for observing Earth data, and it uses data from satellites, aircraft, and other sources.

Worldview is an online software that can be accessed from any browser for free. It allows for in-depth visualization of Earth and weather data.

It is a government-run site.

Explore: Arcgis Map Review

Worldview Features

Stories

When you first visit NASA Worldview, you will see several options for exploring Earth via interactive and engaging stories. For example, you can explore atmospheric rivers in the “Introduction to Worldview” story.

I chose to explore clouds, and NASA gave me a step-by-step lesson on clouds. It started with some facts about clouds, and the next part included an animation showing a real picture of Hurricane Dorian approaching Florida in 2013.

The lesson followed with other stories, facts, and interesting information.

You can explore the history of bushfires in Australia, Earth at night, and other stories by simply reloading the page to view all the available stories once again.

If you don’t want to keep seeing these stories when you reload the site, check the box that says, “Do not show until a new story has been added.”

That way, you won’t see this pop-up until new stories have been added. If you clear your browser cookies, though, it will show up again.

These stories are fun ways to learn about the world.

Check Out: Waze Map Alternatives

Layers

NASA Worldview offers several layers that you can overlay on the map. There are two categories of layers: reference and base layers.

Layers are additional data that you can visualize on top of the map. Reference layers add additional references, such as names of countries, while base layers determine the actual images you will see.

Let’s go through the layers available on NASA Worldview.

Check Out: Satellites Pro Review

Place Labels

Place labels simply show the names of countries and oceans. The data comes from OpenStreetMap and Natural Earth.

Coastlines/Borders/Roads

This layer shows you coastlines, borders, and major roads. The more you zoom in, the more data you will see.

For example, if you want to see state borders, zoom in a little on the United States. If you zoom out, you will see country borders between the US and Canada and Mexico but not state borders.

There is another layer called Coastlines. This layer displays coastlines only, but not borders between countries, regions, and states, nor does it display roads.

Check Out: Best Google Earth Alternatives

Corrected Reflectance

This base layer displays the true color of Earth on the maps.

Without this layer, the entire map will be black. If you want to check which regions are snowy or cloudy, for example, this layer will be helpful.

It shows you what the planet really looks like from the satellite view.

There are actually four versions of this layer; they may be slightly different, as they come from different sources and satellites. Let’s go over them really quickly:

• NOAA-20 and VIIRS: The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) 20 is a satellite that is part of the Joint Polar Satellite System run by the US government. VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) is a sensor that collects images from Earth and is used on the NOAA-20.
• Suomi NPP and VIIRS: The Suomi NPP (National Polar-Orbiting Partnership) is a weather satellite operated by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It also uses the VIIRS sensor.
• Aqua and MODIS: Aqua is a research satellite operated by NASA. MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) is a sensor that measures Earth and climate measurements. There are two MODIS sensors in orbit, one of them being on the Aqua satellite.
• Terra and MODIS: Terra is another satellite from NASA in orbit. The second MODIS sensor in orbit is on this satellite.

Also Read: Best Zoom Earth Alternatives

Layer Comparisons

With so many sources, how can you compare the satellite images from each one? Fortunately, there’s no need to keep toggling them on and off and switching back and forth from one version to another.

NASA Worldview offers a useful comparison feature for this purpose. You can create two versions of Worldview and decide which layers should be active on either one.

While there are several ways to compare layers, I like the “swipe” mode, which allows you to display two versions side by side and swipe back and forth from one layer to another. This mode is shown in the screenshot above.

Check Out: Waze vs Apple Maps

Events

The events tab gives you information about recent weather events around the world. There are several categories of events:

• Dust and haze
• Sea and lake ice
• Man-made
• Severe storms
• Snow
• Volcanoes
• Water color
• Wildfires

A small icon will appear on the map at the location where each event occurred. You can click on it for more information.

In addition, you will be given a list of the most recent events, such as tornadoes, iceberg-related events, fires, and more, in a list.

You can filter for events based on event category and other filters.

Also Read: Google Earth vs Google Maps

Downloading Data

NASA Worldview has a useful tool that allows you to download data for various layers, such as:

• Aerosol index
• Fires and thermal anomalies
• Corrected reflectance
• And others

The data is powered by NASA’s Earthdata Search application. You will be redirected to the Earthdata Search website to complete your download.

Explore: Best Google Maps Alternatives

Measuring Distance and Area

You can measure distances between points on the map by using the measuring tool located at the bottom-right of the screen. It kind of looks like a ruler, and I’ve pointed it out in the screenshot above.

If you’re using the distance measurement tool, draw a line from point A to point B. If you’re using the area measurement tool, create a shape by clicking on different points of the map.

You can create all kinds of unique shapes to measure the area inside those shapes.

History, Animations, and Snapshots

At the bottom of the screen, you will notice a timeline. You can click the back button to go back a day and view the satellite images from the previous day; you can always go forward by clicking the forward button.

You can also simply select a point on the timeline to skip to that date.

It’s a great way to see how weather patterns have been changing over the past few days, weeks, or months.

You can also set up an animation. Do that by clicking on the video icon at the bottom of the screen (it’s not visible when the data download option is open).

You can then set up an animation in daily, monthly, yearly, or custom increments. There is also the option of changing the frames per second and some other options.

Once you are done with the setup, play the animation.

You can also take a screenshot using the snapshot tool at the top-right of the screen, which looks like a camera icon. There are options for adjusting the resolution, format, coordinates, and more.

Check Out: Best MapQuest Alternatives

Conclusion

NASA Worldview is one of the most accurate satellite maps. It is powered by the best satellites in orbit, such as Terra and Aqua, and it is supported by the government.

It is entirely free to use, with accurate information about recent weather-related events around the world. You can switch between images from different satellites, take screenshots, and even set up animations.

It is highly customizable, although it does take a bit of time to learn how to use it. Although the stories are helpful and interesting, the web application itself is a bit unintuitive and involves a bit of a learning curve.

Nevertheless, it’s worth putting the time in to play around with the different options. You’ll get the hang of it in no time.

There is no mobile app, but you can use it in your mobile browser. The experience won’t be the same, but it still works.

All in all, I highly recommend NASA Worldview for satellite imagery.

The post NASA Worldview Review appeared first on Rigorous Themes.