Lifestyle
Streaming Wars: What Platforms are the Best
There was a brief moment when consumers realized that streaming services were the cheaper alternative to cable. Your brother’s Netflix login and your downstairs neighbor’s WiFi were all you needed to get by. Welp! Times have changed. Over the last few years, the list of different streaming platforms have grown a little out of hand, so might say. With services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime, and others offering exclusive content, you might find yourself strapped for cash trying to keep up with them all. Let’s break down the options to see what streaming platform(s) are the best fit.
What to Compare
Depending on the platform, streaming services can offer a variety of different options. This article aims to compare some of the more prominent services.
- Pricing
- How many screens can simultaneously stream
- Live TV
- Commercials
- Original Programming
Netflix: The Grand-daddy of all Streaming
Netflix started as a subscription service that mails you movies so that you don’t have to go to the store. Back in 2000, Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix but turned it down.
Now, Netflix is a streaming Juggernaut with millions of subscribers watching from their TV’s computers, and phones.
What are they offering?
Plans: 3- Basic ($8.99), Standard ($13.99), Premium (17.99)
Simultaneous Streams: Basic-1, Standard-2, Premium-4
Live TV: No
Commercials: No
Original Programming: Heck Yes
Big Originals: House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, The Queen’s Gambit, The Crown, Cobra Kai – the list goes on
Thoughts
Netflix has a gigantic library of streamable content from movies to tv shows to comedy specials. The innovative “Are You Still Watching” and “Skip Intro” features are essential for bingeing an entire series in a weekend. Probably the giant feather in their cap is their original content. It started with their acquisition of the cult classic, Arrested Development, and the gritty political drama series, House of Cards; Netflix has developed into an Academy Award-winning production company.
Hulu: streaming meets live
Hulu began as a website where you could stream TV shows online the day after they aired. They had commercials, it lagged, and the selection wasn’t impressive. Nowadays, Hulu is one of the leading streaming services. They are the Android to Netflix’s iPhone, the Pepsi to Netflix’s Coke … or maybe it’s the other way around.
What are they offering?
Plans: 4 – Basic ($5.99/month), Premium ($11.99/month), Basic + Live TV ($64.99/month) Premium + Live TV ($70.99/month)
Simultaneous Screens: 2 screens can play Hulu simultaneously for all plans unless you add on the unlimited screens package for $9.99
Live TV: Yes
Commercials: Basic – yes, Premium – sort of
Original Programming: Yes
Big Originals: The Handmade’s Tale, The Hardy Boys, Animaniacs
Thoughts
The significant advantage of Hulu over Netflix is live TV streaming. Streamers can watch and record Live TV, including local sports. The benefit of watching football while you are sent out to get groceries cannot be overstated. It’s true, even the Premium ‘ad-free’ plan still has some commercials, but these are mostly in movies they offer from different channel’s catalog. For example, any movie that TBS airs, Hulu will let you stream whenever – just with commercials. Otherwise, Premium will let you binge Bob’s Burgers ad-free for hours and hours.
Disney+: for children young and old
Remember those commercials telling you to make sure to buy the newest Disney movie before it gets locked away in the Disney vault? It turns out Disney+ is that vault, and for a modest monthly price, you have access to everything that the massive Disney catalog has to offer.
What are they offering?
Plans: 1- $6.99/month or $69.99/year
Simultaneous Streams: 4
Live TV: No
Commercials: No
Originals: Yes, but that’s a loaded question
Big Originals: The Mandalorian
Thoughts
Put simply: Disney is incredible. They practically have a monopoly on our childhood. With access to any Disney title you can think of, Disney+ turns your TV or phone into a Nostalgia machine. Remember, Disney now owns Darth Vader, Spider-Man, Buzz Lightyear, and Homer Simpson. Since it went online a year ago, the only noteworthy exclusive content has been The Mandalorian. Disney has promised a slew of new content coming up, including several Star Wars Universe and Marvel shows.
HBO Max: original premium content channel made modern
In many ways, Netflix has HBO to thank for their model. HBO was the first premium subscription for movies and original content if you wanted more than what cable had to offer. Finally, they’ve adapted their model to fit a modern scheme.
What are they offering?
Plans: 1 – $14.99/month – free with a traditional HBO subscription
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Live TV: No
Commercials: No
Originals: Big time
Big Originals: Game of Thrones, Sopranos, The Wire
Thoughts
HBO’s entire back catalog combined with all Warner Bros titles packs a lot of content into one app. With the announcement that WB will be streaming their big 2021 titles on HBO Max the same day they’re released into theaters, consumers could witness something that’s never really been done before. Is the movie watching experience as we know it gone for good?
Prime Video: a perk of speedy delivery
Amazon: ever heard of ‘em? That little online book-selling operation has extended its services to include online streaming. Prime Video is included with your Prime subscription that gets you free two-day shipping and overnight delivery.
What are they offering?
Plans: 2- Prime Annual ($119/year), Prime monthly ($12.99/month), Prime Video ($8.99/month)
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Live TV: No
Commercials: No
Originals: Yes
Big Originals: The Boys, The Marvelous Ms. Maisel, Hunters, Jack Ryan
Thoughts
Prime Video works as a hub for all the digital content you purchase on Amazon as well as the streaming service. Even if you cancel your subscription, you will still view the movies and shows you bought. Most of the good stuff on Prime, you still need to rent or buy, and they are still working on building their original content.
Youtube TV: the cable cutter
Google launched Youtube TV as a cable-cutting service in 2017. Streamers would have full access to all their favorite cable channels, including sports like the NFL Network.
What are they offering?
Plans: 1 ($64.99/month)
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Live TV: Yes
Commercials: Yes
Originals: No
Thoughts
Youtube TV is strictly an excuse to ditch your cable provider. It is the only other Live TV provider besides Hulu and even offers a few more channels with the sports networks and Viacom (MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon). Still, it provides no original content and no offline streaming.
The Others
There are a handful of other streaming services out there as well. Apple TV +, Sling, Epix, and Peacock offer their own list of features but don’t quite stack up next to the other giants. Just yet anyway
What It All Comes Down To
No matter what you subscribe to, it seems there will always be a time when you come into work, and somebody will ask you if you watched the most recent episode of (insert show here) and you say ‘no, I don’t have (insert streaming service here). Then they rattle off all the features and benefits of that streaming service and tell you that you need it. Before you know it, you’re spendings $140/month on streaming services and missing the days when all you needed was a cable box. In the end, most people have multiple subscriptions. It’s just a matter of figuring out which you can get away without needing.
Ask yourself these questions:
Do you have kids/ have a nostalgic side? Disney+ and HBO Max (Sesame Street)
Do you need live sports? (Hulu + Live TV or Youtube TV)
Do you like water cooler talk? Netflix has the largest selection of talked-about original content.
Are you a nerd? Disney+ has everything Marvel and Star Wars, and the new stuff is around the corner.
Then there’s a matter of splitting the subscriptions with friends and family. This may blur the lines of ethical behavior depending on who you ask, but that’s for you to decide.
Whichever streaming services you choose, there is no shortage of material, and you will never get to the end of it. Maybe, get outside. Go for a walk. Some Vitamin D could do you some good.
Camping is a fun adventure you can spend with friends and family. Whether you’re used to camping with minimal equipment or not, having a handful of camping tech tools will make the experience enjoyable. Not sure where to start? Here are the 10 best camping gadgets you must bring on your next camping trip!
1. Solar powered charger
If you’re embarking on a week-long camping adventure, bringing a solar-powered charger is convenient. This can charge everything, from your mobile phones and Bluetooth speakers to your lanterns and heated blankets. Try to get one that’s waterproof to ensure it doesn’t get easily damaged when drenched while gaining power. These chargers are also lightweight and foldable, letting you easily carry them around. You can get a 21-watt solar panel that weighs a pound. It can charge two devices simultaneously and distribute power evenly.
2. Portable water filter
If you’re camping at any national park with potable water, there’s no need to bring a portable water filter. However, buying one is convenient and safe if you’re camping in the middle of nowhere for days and can only bring limited drinking water. Choose one with the most number of filtration levels. A four-stage filtration can filter up to 99.99 percent into chlorine, lead, arsenic, or fluoride. Buy a portable water filter with a fast flow rate with at least 1,500ml of water per minute. This way, you can get as much drinking water for every pour. Last but not least, try to look for BPA-free medical-grade filters and materials to avoid the buildup of other harmful chemicals.
3. Heated blanket
Bringing a heated blanket will make your cold nights comfortable during your camping trip. This camping tech is essential, especially if you’re going to camp during the colder months or countries. Some heated blankets are battery-operated, and some are rechargeable. That said, bringing along a solar-powered charger makes sense. A heated outdoor blanket is made of waterproof fabric and polyester filling. This eliminates heat loss and keeps you warm in windy or rainy weather. These blankets also have multiple heating buttons to choose a temperature range, typically between 86 and 140°F.
4. Solar string lights
Bring some solar string lights to keep a nice vibe while watching the stars at night with a beer in hand. You can place these around your tent or roof to give you warm lighting while you cook dinner. Solar string lights can recharge in 20 hours under direct sunlight or may also be charged via USB for two to three hours. They can run up to 200+ hours in Low 5 Lumens and shorter hours in higher level Lumens.
5. Portable mini burning stove
If you’re spending a few days out in the woods, bring a mini-burning stove for daily fresh meals. These portable stoves are made of high-quality steel that doesn’t deform even at high 1500°F temperatures. Get a wood-burning stove that is easy to use by simply putting a pot holder at the top and using the wood stove combustion chamber. The wood ashes are quickly eliminated, letting you replace them with new wood to burn. This can also fit into a storage bag, sometimes weighing over five pounds.
6. Camping torch
This is a camping tech essential that makes your adventures convenient. You can use a portable torch to light up a bonfire or wood for cooking. You may also use it for light or even as a weapon for dangerous creatures. It’s easy to use: Simply push a button to turn on the flame, and it is equipped with a safety lock to ensure it’s kid-friendly. It can usually be refilled with butane gas.
7. Portable gas fire pit
A fire pit can add warmth and comfort during your cold camping adventure. It also adds a nice ambiance while enjoying being close to nature under the glimmering sky at night. It’s portable and comes in multiple sizes, depending on your size preference. This example includes a 19-inch fire pit with a burner lid, carry strap, and 10-foot gas hose, regulator. It’s made of durable steel and has a high-temperature finish. You can fill this up with a 20-pound LP gas tank.
8. Portable pressure shower
If you’re camping for days or weeks, you can feel fresh the next morning by bringing a portable pressure shower. It’s easy to carry and user-friendly. You fill up the opening at the top, unscrew the pump, and put the cap on. A pressure shower has a safety valve design that eliminates excess air when pressure is too high. On top of being a good camping shower, you can also use this portable shower when cleaning your car, washing your dog, or rinsing after surfing.
9. Camping lantern
Never miss out on a fun camping adventure with this portable camping lantern! If you don’t have a Bluetooth speaker, then don’t fret! This lighter doubles as a speaker, so you can listen to your favorite tunes while camping, partying, or doing anything outdoors. The lantern also has a 90-degree foldable light bar, letting you adjust the lighting to cover a wider area or focus it inside your tent. This can also serve as your power bank to ensure you’ll never run out of juice. With a 10,000mAh battery, your camping adventure will go seamlessly.
10. Mini projector
Who says camping should only include traditional activities? Bringing a mini projector can make it more fun with your kids under the stars. You can watch your favorite movie while being embraced by trees and cuddled up in heated blankets. Mini projectors can be as small as two Coca-Cola cans! They’re portable, lightweight, user-friendly, and convenient, weighing only about a pound. So, if you’re looking for nighttime entertainment, don’t forget to pack this item on your next trip!
Packing for an adventure travel is the most exciting thing! You’ll find yourself prepping weeks before the scheduled trip. Aside from packing, researching things to pack and what to do before and during the adventure is essential. If you have an upcoming trip to one of these travel destinations, here’s a quick guide to prepare you for the trip of your life!
1. Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal
Every mountaineer would probably jump on the first opportunity to trek Everest’s base camp in Nepal. It’s one of the most coveted hiking trips worldwide. The most experienced mountaineers can go all the way up to the summit. The Everest base camp hike is challenging for an average hiker due to altitude. It lasts 12 to 14 days with a total incline of 6015 meters. Although a guide isn’t required, it’s highly recommended. You can also opt for the Guest Houses along the way if you want to sleep comfortably with showers and restaurant facilities.
2. Ice Cave Exploration in Iceland
Iceland is a beautiful country full of greenery and glaciers. The Vatnajokull National Park is Iceland’s most popular place for ice cave explorations. You can either rent a car or ride the bus or mini-bus to get to Iceland’s glaciers. However, renting a car is the easiest way to get around Iceland and enjoy the scenery at your own pace. Make sure you plan a trip from November to March only because the glaciers are melted during summertime. Ice cave explorations are also day trips that don’t require you to spend overnight around the area.
3. Great Barrier Reef Dive in Australia
Australia boasts the most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s also a surf destination if you’re into watersports. However, you can embark on the biggest adventure travel of your life—diving the Great Barrier Reef. The reef extends 2,300 kilometers from north to south and comprises 2,900 individual coral reefs. It also has the largest natural structure, with more than 400 species of coral reefs.
4. Machu Pichu Trail Trek in Peru
The Machu Pichu Trail is one of the most popular treks in the world. Located in Peru, you can enjoy this UNESCO New World Wonder with an expert guide. The best time to visit Machu Pichu is during the months of June, July, and August. These are the region’s dry months, and hiking Machi Pichu is better during sunny conditions. Accommodations also get booked quickly, so make sure you book in advance. Try to do the iconic four-day Inca Trail!
5. Sandboarding in Morocco
If you’re not cut out for watersports activities like surfing, then try sandboarding in the Sahara. Most visitors go to the two largest dunes in the Moroccan Sahara—the Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga. You can do fun activities in the beautiful golden dunes that flow through different slopes toward the horizon, such as camel trekking or camping at the Berber campsite. But one of the most fun activities is sandboarding. You glide down the sand dune with your feet strapped onto the board.
6. Grand Canyon Rafting in America
If you’re from the United States and haven’t been to the Grand Canyon, it’s high time you visited! The Grand Canyon National Park offers many recreational trips, both commercial and non-commercial. You can take guided activities through 15 river concessioners because non-guided “private trips” are sometimes dangerous and not recommended for those newbies. River rafting doesn’t need experts to be enjoyable. It’s doable for every average traveler! Even kids ages 10 to 12 are allowed on motorized rafting trips. The most popular months are May and June since the weather isn’t so hot. However, don’t forget to book a commercial trip in advance for a year or so!
7. Great Walks Hikes in New Zealand
The “Great Walks” is regarded as New Zealand’s multi-day hiking. When embarking on this adventure travel, make sure you pre-book your beds in the backcountry huts along the tracks. During the hiking season, the cost of staying in these huts is crazy. Hiking the Great Walks will immerse you in New Zealand’s pure wilderness. You can also choose which hike you want, as there are multiple options. The Lake Waikeramoana Track is one of the gentlest trails, while the Kepler Track is the most challenging trail of the Great Walks.
8. Hot Air Balloon Ride in Turkey
If you want a unique and magical experience, try riding a hot air balloon over Cappadocia in Turkey. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that lets you see Cappadocia just when the first light hits the skyline. The best time to do this activity is during spring and autumn, from April to May and September to October. It offers the best weather for hot air balloon rides.
9. Glacier Hunting and Caving in Greenland
Greenland is the second-largest icefield in the world. It’s also one of the best adventure travel destinations you mustn’t miss. This place offers the best views and beautiful white-ice mountains you’ll never see elsewhere. You can go ice caving and see ancient ice and some interesting frozen formations. Try visiting the Kulusuk ice cave, which was discovered in 2016 and has had fewer than a thousand visitors since. Unlike other ice caves, this one can only be reached once the snow melts during summertime.
10. Jumeirah Beach Skydiving in Dubai
If you want to amp up your adrenaline with an exhilarating adventure, try skydiving over Palm Jumeirah in Dubai Marina. This quick skydive activity will take about 25 minutes from the interview until touchdown. It’s also one of the safest skydive adventures in the world, with certified instructors and various packages for your preference and budget.
If you frequent the outdoors, you know how important protecting your playground is. When you’re close to nature, you must always prioritize eco-consciousness. While you practice sustainable habits, supporting brands prioritizing sustainability becomes a top priority. If you’re always planning an outdoor adventure and need the gear, here are the top 10 sustainable outdoor gear brands you must check out.
1. Patagonia
Over the years, Patagonia has lined up its corporate social responsibilities, mainly focusing on labor and the environment. They have robust social responsibility programs that ensure workers and communities are cared for. Patagonia claims that 85 percent of its products are made in factories with Fair Trade Certified certifications. The brand also helped over 85,000 workers by participating in Fair Trade programs. The brand also helped more than 2,000 farmers from its Regenerative Organic Certified cotton program.
2. Osprey
Osprey, a brand that creates robust backpacks for travel and outdoors, is also committed to sustainability. The company is a trusted bluesign SYSTEM partner, which helps eliminate PFAS-based DWR in 100 percent of its textile products. On top of its promise of eco-friendly materials, the standard for its backpacks is unparalleled, offering durability, functionality, and repairability. These products undergo field testing and athlete evaluations to ensure it’s a pack that runs a lifetime.
3. Hydro Flask
Plastic bottles comprise one of the highest numbers of ocean pollutants. Hydro Flask is committed to minimizing this by introducing excellent insulated water bottles that last a lifetime! I bought one five years ago, and the insulation functionality still works like the very first day I got it. The brand boasts its recycled-content bottle, the Slingback Bottle Pack, with a 100 percent recycled polyester body. It also eliminated single-use plastic for its packaging, specifically for 90 percent of its products. Hydro Flask uses soy-based inks and no foils and varnishes for their products too!
4. Black Diamond
Black Diamond is among the top brands for the best outdoor gear, specifically reliable and durable helmets. The company’s ethos is based on the team’s outdoor pursuits. First, the company’s 12,000-square-foot headquarters is energy-efficient, with a 2,200-watt solar photovoltaic system that generates about 3,000 kWh of electricity per year. Black Diamond also advocates for sustainable outdoor and recreation practices and is a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps.
5. Sierra Designs
Sierra Designs is also one of the best sustainable outdoor gear brands you can rely on. They aim to create products that have as minimal impact as possible on Mother Nature. The brand boasts the DriDown product, which ensures that feathers come from animals that weren’t subjected to any harm. The brand also uses neglected recycled materials for its fabric’s exteriors and insulation for apparel and sleeping bags. A lifetime warranty also backs all Sierra Designs products.
6. Hyperlite
Hyperlite is your go-to outdoor gear brand if you’re into climbing, hiking, or rock climbing. The company is committed to sustainability for as long as the brand is still in operation. They created the Hyperlite Mountain Gear ethos, essentialism, which differs from minimalism. The brand believes that an intentional and thoughtful approach to assembling its backpacks ensures its products are safe, comfortable, warm, and efficient. Hyperlite is a proud partner of Dyneema, a bio-based fiber company, and promises to use this fiber in all its outdoor gear products.
7. MSR
For all your climbing equipment, don’t miss out on MSR products. The founder, a lifelong mountaineer, believed that a safe and reliable equipment is key to greater adventures. Today, the brand is proud to hand-build many MSR products. The brand is also another founding members of the Outdoor Industry Association Sustainability Working Group. It’s a collaboration of over 300 outdoor brands, manufacturers, and suppliers that focus on sustainability challenges and solutions.
8. Sunski
When you’re enjoying outdoor adventures, make sure you enjoy it in style with Sunski sustainable glasses. Sunski is a fantastic eyewear manufacturer in America that uses plastic scraps to turn into frames! A unique sunglass niche in the industry. The sunglasses are flexible, lightweight, and extremely durable. All Sunski customers will also get a lifetime warranty for their glasses. And if they break? Repair or replacement is free!
9. Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi backpacks, travel packs, hip packs, and duffels are colorful and vibrant and made with eco-friendly materials. They embarked on the The (Re)Purpose™ Collection program, which uses recycled deadstock or leftover fabric from other fashion brands. They also offer a lifetime guarantee on repairs or replacements. As members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, they support Amazon’s reforestation. Cotopaxi believes that doing good will create a ripple effect, so they reward customers who #DoGood!
10. Goal Zero
Here’s another eco-friendly outdoor gear brand for all your needs and more. To offer you the best outdoor camping experience, Goal Zero even sells power essentials, such as inverter generators, handheld portable power devices, solar panels, and battery banks. The company also aims to practice eco-conscious manufacturing methods by ensuring all 10+ factories in nine countries adhere to environmental and human rights standards. Its top sustainable camping gear is the Yeti Portable Power Station, with a four over five rating!
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