We’re all aware that social media trends come and go. Currently, the short-video hosting app TikTok is at the center stage, but a newcomer, the BeReal app, is making waves. Amusingly, it is partly because of TikTok users sharing their reviews about BeReal, saying that the app has exploded so quickly.

What is BeReal App? 

Source: Android Police

BeReal app is a new social media phenomenon that operates under a simple premise at works this way: 

• Once a day, the app will alert you to take a photo. It will take one from your rear camera and one from your front camera a few seconds later. 
• You will have a two-minute interval to take this photo to capture candid images. 
• Then, the BeReal app will lay your front photo over your rear photo. 
• You can share it with your friends. However, you won’t be able to see their posts until the next day. And if you missed the two-hour window, you’ll have to wait until the next day. 
• You can also react to your friend’s posts by sharing a quick selfie attached to their post.

The premise behind these weird shooting windows is to encourage people to share snippets from their lives that aren’t just hand picked from parties or any planned events. But, it’s not the first app to go for the candid angle. Back in 2016, Casey Neistat of YouTube developed an app called Beme. The app encouraged users to take videos with their phones clasped to their chest so that, allegedly, they could stay focused on the moment. Later that year, CNN bought the app but ultimately shut it down in 2018.

BeReal vs Beme

What BeReal had that Beme didn’t was the ability to operate for two years with the increasing number of users showing for it. Based on a BeReal app job posting, the app has more than 10 million daiily users. It also says the company’s goal is to increase this number to over 100 million. Quite an ambitious goal but recent reports project the mid-size social media network Snapchat at about 350 million daily active users.

As Snapchat popularized the concept of communication through disappearing messages, BeReal may be relying on its own style to continue and encourage future partnerships with other businesses. Clubhouse, an audio-based social app that went live around the same time as BeReal, had plenty of activities to back it up, but things have quickly cooled down. It is recently experimenting with new features to make the app nteresting enough to attract more users.  Meanwhile, the novelty of BeReal is still fresh, but once the surge of interest from TikTok has mellowed down, it will need to learn to be independent and beat the competitors.

What is an Instagram Candid?

Meta seems to be working on a feature called “Candid Challenges” for Instagram. Discovered by self-described reverse engineer Allessandro Palluzzi, users would be notified once a day to take and share a “candid.” It also copies BeReal right down to the last detail, giving users just two minutes to take the candid.

An Instagram spokesperson told Engadget that the feature was an “internal prototype” and with no users testing the feature. Still,  we are yet to see this announced soon in an Instagram update.

While Meta has been the only company confirmed to be working on a BeReal clone, it wouldn’t be surprising if Twitter or TikTok followed suit as well. Twitter, specifically, might see BeReal candid shots a fit for the microblogging platform, but considering its brave attempt at copying Snapchat’s stories and the on-going buyout buzz with Elon Musk, it’ll need to stride carefully.

While BeReal is becoming popular, it faces an uncertain future. Will it end up being defeated by Meta as have many other successful startups that even vaguely have a conflicting interest with its existing properties? Or will it fail to innovate like Clubhouse did and die off after its 15 minutes in the spotlight? It might be a welcome change to the airbrushed faces and saturated filters from Instagram, but BeReal might just end up being a little too real for its own good.
If you’re interested in trying out the BeReal App, download it from the Play Store. Just remember you know how to take a selfie before you start aad that you’ll only get one shot daily.

With more and more internet users putting a premium on privacy, Deeper Connect Pico has been earning attention.

The palm-sized gadget promises to decentralize privacy, perfect for home and entertainment. But is it worth the investment? In this post, we unpack what the Deeper Connect Pico is, how it works, who it’s for, and why it might be the next must-have tool in your tech lineup.

What Is the Deeper Connect Pico?

Deeper Connect Pico is a pocket-sized decentralized private network (DPN) router that lets users access Wi-Fi securely from anywhere.

Because of their global private network, users can save costs on sites like Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, and more. It also offers an ad-free experience.

Next, because a user will maintain a node or entry point to the decentralized network, a user of a Deeper Connect Pico can actually make money from owning the hardware. 

In fact, it can be used as an alternative to other crypto miners like MXC miner, RAK miners, or helium miners. To sum it up, besides being a secure way to access the internet, it is also an energy-efficient crypto mining device. In fact, most Deeper Connect Pico review online are from crypto miners. 

How Does the Deeper Connect Pico Work?

As a blockchain-powered device, the Deeper Connect Pico hinges on other users as entry points.  It is unlike a regular VPN, where users are clients of a private service provider.

Instead, the Deeper Connect network lets a user connect to the internet through nodes run by fellow users across the globe. Here, nodes are entry points, usually the home IP addresses of users. 

To use the device, simply plug in the antenna attachment that comes with the product and plug it into a power source. This can be a charging outlet, a power bank, or even another device. The light should turn red, signalling that it is on. 

Because it does not have a central server, Deeper encrypts your user access logs, making it more secure than other options.

Key Benefits of Using Deeper Connect Pico

Unlike other VPN services, the device is only purchased once, so users do not need to pay a subscription fee. This makes it a good choice for people who want to save money. 

The Deeper Connect Pico’s strongest feature is its enterprise-level network security. Because of this, filtering internet ads and tracking features are easier. Besides this, it can also identify and block cyberattacks.

Furthermore, it also has strong geo-unblocking features. This is helpful for people who live in countries where access to certain social media platforms is limited. This could also be helpful for people who want to save subscription costs on sites like Netflix, which have adjusted rates in certain regions. 

Finally, it comes in a travel-friendly size that makes it handy to bring around on trips. Plus, it provides coverage for living spaces of 1500 square feet. That said, you can use it to connect to public WiFi when traveling without worrying about the risk.

With a max local speed of 100 Mbps, the hardware can support multiple devices at the same time. In fact, it supports 4K video playback on five devices at the same time. Plus, according to their website, Deeper’s private network has over 200K servers. 

Price 

Compared to other products by Deeper, the Pico is in the middle price range. The Deeper Connect Pico price is at $199, although it is currently on sale for $129. In turn, the Deeper Connect Pico Lite costs $119. 

 Meanwhile, the more travel-friendly option, Deeper Connect Air, retails for $210. 

On the flip side, there’s also the Deeper Connect Mini, a new router product that costs $229. It has a 1 Gbps speed and a 7-layer firewall. 

Use Cases and Who It’s For

Deeper Connect Pico is good for frequent travelers who want to safely use the Wi-Fi in airports, cafes, and lounges. It is a solid choice for people concerned with cybersecurity and privacy. Plus, it is a solid option for people who want an ad-free experience on their web and mobile devices. 

It has an easy plug-and-play setup, which makes it great for people on the go. 

It is also great for people who want to bypass IP trackers to access streaming sites like Netflix.

Besides this, though, Deeper Connect Pico can also be used to mine crypto with ease. It is a great product for crypto miners as users only buy the hardware once. 

Limitations and Considerations

People who want to invest in Deeper Connect Pico usually use it to mine cryptocurrency. If you are not particular about whether you want to use a centralized or decentralized private network, then you might find a limited difference between this device and a normal VPN service provider. 

One consideration users should have when using the device is the bandwidth sharing. This might not bother users who have good internet to begin with, but it might bother others more. The feature, though, can be disabled. 

Apart from this, you might also notice slightly reduced internet speeds.

Deeper Connect Pico Amazon review articles are a mix online. Most rave about the device, but some mention that the network does not work. Others also raise that they cannot get some features, like the Wi-Fi adaptor, to work. 

If you compare the Deeper Connect Pico vs Air, the latter has more Mbps capacity and is lighter. 

Final Thoughts

The Deeper Connect Pico is a bold experiment in decentralized internet access, wrapped in a sleek, palm-sized shell. It’s best for:

• Privacy-conscious users
• Frequent flyers
• Crypto enthusiasts
• Casual streamers looking to save on subscriptions

If you’re any or all of the descriptions above, then the Pico offers real value. Its one-time purchase model, combined with built-in ad-blocking and mining capabilities, makes it stand out in a sea of subscription-based VPNs and traditional routers.

That said, it’s not for everyone. If you’re expecting blazing-fast speeds or a plug-and-forget experience like with mainstream VPN apps, you may need to lower your expectations. The device still relies on bandwidth sharing and user-managed nodes, which can sometimes mean inconsistent performance.

But for those willing to explore a new way of connecting—and earning—the Deeper Connect Pico could be a surprisingly powerful tool in your digital toolkit.

And if you want to get more news and stories, read more here at Owner’s Mag!

Offering customers multiple payment solutions is another way to make them choose you over your competitors. Since the world has started this online shift to everything, people prefer convenience via mobile phones. Mobile payment solutions make shopping and paying effortless. If you’re wondering what online payment systems you can offer, we’ve listed the top mobile payment options in this article.

What is a Mobile Payment Solution?

A mobile payment solution is a payment system people use on their mobile phones. They use smartphones or other cellular phones to pay for products or services. It’s a more convenient, efficient, and faster payment solution since you no longer have to bring cash or change customers’ payments. This type of payment option also means customers pay directly to your account, allowing you to transfer the funds to your bank if the app permits. 

These mobile phones will require the corresponding app or software to enable mobile payment solutions. Some are also done via SMS, depending on the network. Some apps also require users to connect their credit or debit card so people can use the app to pay, and the funds are deducted from the credit card. These apps are called “peer-to-peer” mobile payment apps. 

What are the 5 Types of Mobile Payment Systems?

Business owners can choose from five payment options. While each solution is unique, all alternatives offer a convenient way of transferring money from end to end. 

1. SMS payments

SMS payments refer to payments made through your local cellular network to another. This means a user transfers money by sending it through another person’s number. In most cases, this is only used locally since most can’t transfer from one mobile number to an international mobile number.

2. Mobile wallet

This is another common form of mobile payment. To make a mobile payment, apps like Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay must be installed on portable gadgets like tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, or computers. Most of these apps are linked to credit cards, debit cards, or bank accounts.

3. Mobile peer-to-peer

A mobile peer-to-peer payment system is another efficient solution if you cater to global customers. Some examples are PayPal, CashApp, and Venmo, and most of these accept all business retailers, big or small. 

4. Mobile eCommerce

Mobile eCommerce is also the most commonly used online payment system. This is when a user makes a transaction online from a browser or a seller’s app or webpage and completes the transaction by inputting their credit card details. Users who pay from a mobile wallet or accelerated checkout systems like Shop Pay are also under the umbrella of mobile eCommerce. 

5. Mobile POS (Point of sale)

This payment type refers to paying for products or services using your credit card by swiping it on a terminal or chip reader. You can also use your mobile phone by tapping it on the terminal via QR codes. 

Benefits of Mobile Payments

Most businesses accept mobile payments nowadays due to their security and convenience. While paying cash offers a more secure transaction since you only have to hand the cash to the cashier, online app payments are equipped with robust security measures. On top of that, here are some benefits of mobile payment solutions:

• Security: Mobile payments require authentication to proceed. This can be done via passcodes, OTPs, fingerprints, or facial recognition. 
• Speed: Mobile payments can be made in the blink of an eye, making mobile checkout or online shopping easier.
• Convenience: Customers prefer mobile payments because they no longer have to bring cash or find the nearest ATM to withdraw. All they need is connectivity and their portable gadgets. 
• Popular: Your business shouldn’t lag behind competitors. It’s no surprise that more and more brands are expanding their online payment systems. Mobile payments are beneficial, especially if your audience is younger. 

8 Top Mobile Payment Systems

Here are the eight best mobile payment systems you can look into. 

1. Apple Pay

Apple Pay would be appropriate for Apple devices. You can make contactless payments when you make in-app purchases. Apple Pay uses a unique account number, and customers get a security code for every transaction. 

2. Google Pay

Android users can also pay via Google Pay. You can pay via NFC in-store, online, or within apps. Google Pay integrates with most Google apps, letting users enjoy loyalty card management, ticket storage, and money transfers. 

3. Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay is suitable for both NFC transfers and magnetic stripe terminals. This payment mode is also secured with tokenization, biometrics, and Samsung Knox. 

4. PayPal

PayPal is another online payment system that allows peer-to-peer money transfers. It’s easy to send, receive, and manage transactions with PayPal. PayPal also links with credit cards and bank accounts and is mainly linked to various eCommerce websites. 

5. Venmo

Owned by PayPal, Venmo is another mobile payment system for peer-to-peer transfers. It works similarly to PayPal and lets users buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies. 

6. Zelle

If you’re from the U.S., Zelle is the app for sending money between bank accounts. This platform is integrated into most U.S. mobile banking apps. It lets you send money instantly using a mobile phone number or email.

7. Square Cash

Also known as the Cash App, Square lets you send and receive money and even invest in stocks and Bitcoin. 

8. Alipay

This mobile payment system is for online payments, financial services, and in-store purchases. Alipay is also widely used in China. Users link their credit, debit, and bank accounts to make payments through NFC, QR codes, or in-app purchases.