keys

the keys that make me look for the Android experience at home

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Few devices have embraced the era of “smart devices” as much as mobile phonesbut there is one who, almost without realizing it, has adopted this strategy so much that In Spain it is difficult to buy one that is not: televisions. Until recently we could find models that did not have a system with apps, but currently it is somewhat complicated. It is even easier to buy a dumb phone, as those that do not have the ability to run apps are called, than a dumb TV. And it is not that there is no demand, since many users prefer to put their own devices to provide them with intelligence, such as Google TV Streamer. The main television brands in Spain are Samsung and LG, at least in the high range, but there are many others that are fighting to gain a foothold, not only in that category, but also in the entry range. There you sign as Xiaomi either TCL They lead the way. In part its sales pitch is not the hardware, but the software. Google TV for everyone These two Chinese brands also make mobile devices, and have taken a similar approach: use Android on your televisions. It is something that neither LG did when it was still in the smartphone market nor does Samsung do currently, despite the fact that it is the largest manufacturer of Android smartphones in the world. The reason why Xiaomi, TCL and other brands opt for Google TV is simple, but at the same time multiple: it is an option that attracts users, but does not involve the development or maintenance of your own operating systemwith what this entails in terms of resources and operating expenses. Although there are more options, such as WebOS or Tizen, Google TV (formerly Android TV) has positioned itself as the best option not only for manufacturers, but for many users who value what it gives them. And we are not only talking about integration with the smartphones they use, but also about functions and possibilities that they do not have in other models with other systems. Advantages of Google TV Many brands available. As with mobile phones, choosing Android as the operating system allows you to choose between more brands. Firms such as Xiaomi and TLC, but also industry giants such as Sony or Phillips opt for the Google system. The range of sizes, models, prices and brands is the largest when compared to other operating systems. Notifications for Android TV The Free Android Good voice control system. Typing on a television is complicated and tiring. Being able to dictate things is much more comfortable. Google TV is not the only system that allows it, but it does have very advanced voice recognition, in part because Google has been working on it for years. Google Assistant. And this function also enables integration with the Google Assistant, making the TV become a speaker if we want, because we can send content, ask questions, change channels… Integration with Google Home. The integration with Android of Google TV is obvious, but also with Google Home. The home automation application allows you to create routines using the television, use the phone as a remote control, etc. We’ll even look at how compatible headphones pair automatically to the TV. Button remapping. Remote control buttons rarely provide the shortcuts we all need. Thanks to applications like Button Mapper It is possible to change the behavior of buttons that we never use. Open applications, take screenshots, turn off the TV, change settings… everything is possible with this free application. Remote control Unsplash The Free Android All types of applications. Thanks to the fact that it uses Android, there are many developers who create applications for televisions, from casual or more advanced games to file management tools, video playback with all types of codecs, etc. Extreme customization. One particular type of apps are desktop replacements. These apps allow us to change the way the TV is shown to us, eliminating ads, sections that we do not use… If we want, we can make only the installed apps appear, to open them directly with the remote control. External storage management. And the memory possibilities skyrocket if we use external hard drives and want to play content. Android allows you to run all types of videos, either with pre-installed apps or with those you download from the Google Play Store. In addition, they usually have reading capacity not only for USB flash drives, but also for large capacity disks, in case we have our digital movie library stored there. bluetooth controls. Although television processors are not designed for games, some simple titles can be easily run on them, and having synchronized Bluetooth controls is an advantage. The number of options available is enormous. Especially if we use them with cloud streaming services. A person playing on TV Chromecast built-in. Of course, we could not ignore the fact that the televisions integrate a Chromecast system, which allows you to send content from a mobile phone on the same WiFi network. This makes it much more convenient to send a song from Spotify, a video from YouTube, etc. To these reasons we must add others such as the convenience that many users have in using a system that they already know because it is the same one they have on their tablet or mobile phone, knowing the applications because, again, they are the same ones that they already used. , etc. Of course, this does not mean that there are no disadvantages when compared to other systems, but the benefits outweigh the latter.

Increase in norovirus cases: keys to protect yourself

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In December, The United States has experienced an unusual increase in norovirus outbreaks, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the first week of the month, 91 norovirus outbreaks were reported, suspected or confirmed, a figure higher than that recorded during the same period in previous years, including those prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The norovirus, known as the “vomiting and diarrhea virus”, It is a highly contagious pathogen that causes sudden, severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Although outbreaks can occur throughout the year, their incidence increases between November and April. The virus is estimated to affect between 19 and 21 million people in the US annually. One of the most notable outbreaks in December involved at least 80 people who They got sick after eating raw oysters in a restaurant in Los Angeles. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified that the contaminated oysters came from British Columbia, Canada, and had been distributed in 14 states and the District of Columbia before being recalled. In addition to seafood, Other products recently recalled for being linked to norovirus include fresh and frozen berries, according to an FDA database. Many cases of norovirus are linked to eating raw oysters. (Photo: Eldar Emric/AP) How does norovirus spread? Norovirus is extremely contagious due to two key characteristics: its ease of transmission and its ability to survive on surfaces for days or even weeks. People can contract the virus by being in contact with infected individuals or by consuming contaminated food, water, or touching surfaces. An illustrative case from Tennessee highlights how easily the virus spreads. A member of a bridge club vomited in a parking lot after becoming ill with norovirus, and everyone present contracted the virus. Researchers later found traces of the virus on the playing cards used at the event. According to William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, it only takes a small amount of the virus to infect someone. This ability explains why norovirus thrives in closed, crowded spaces, such as cruise ships, nursing homes, schools and daycares. Another common route of transmission is contaminated water. Untreated wastewater can introduce the virus into irrigation systems, contaminating fruits, vegetables and shellfish such as oysters and mussels, which filter large volumes of water and concentrate the virus in their flesh. How to prevent norovirus? Prevention starts with good hand hygiene. The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or before preparing food. Although hand sanitizers are useful against many pathogens, their effectiveness against norovirus is limited due to the resistant structure of the virus. Other key measures to prevent infection are: * Cook food properly: The CDC suggests cooking shellfish, such as oysters, to an internal temperature of at least 63°C to kill the virus. Washing fresh fruits and vegetables is also essential. * Clean and disinfect surfaces: Areas used for food preparation, such as cutting boards and countertops, should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. * Avoid contact with infected people: If someone in your home is sick, limit direct contact and disinfect contaminated surfaces. Bedding and towels used by infected people should be washed with detergent on long cycles and dried at high temperatures. * Waiting to handle food: An infected person should not prepare or handle food until at least two days after symptoms disappear. This is crucial, as the virus can remain in feces for up to two weeks and still be contagious. Stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea and fever are some of the characteristic symptoms of norovirus. (Photo: Shutterstock) What are the symptoms of norovirus? Symptoms of a norovirus infection They include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever. What sets this virus apart is how quickly symptoms appear. “You feel fine and all of a sudden you have an explosive episode of vomiting,” Schaffner says. There is no antiviral treatment for norovirus. Doctors recommend resting, drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and staying isolated to avoid infecting others. Symptoms generally disappear within a few days without the need for additional treatment. Although most people recover quickly, certain groups are more vulnerable to serious complications, including young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Severe dehydration can cause fatigue, dizziness, and, in children, irritability. In severe situations, patients may require hospitalization to receive intravenous fluids. The norovirus outbreak in December is a reminder of the importance of hygiene and food safety. This “persistent bug,” as Schaffner describes it, can be challenging, but with proper preventive measures and education, it is possible to significantly reduce its spread. Stay alert, follow the recommendations of experts and take care of your health and that of others. Keep reading: * Human metapneumovirus: what it is and what experts say about whether it could become a pandemic* Respiratory infections in winter: myths, realities and tips to take care of yourself this season

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