iHeart Radio

iHeart Radio is one of the most popular streaming radio services in the world, with over 250 million monthly listeners. It offers a wide range of music genres, podcasts, and live radio stations, including free Halloween music.

• Halloween Radio
• Haunted House
• Pumpkin Spicy
• Autumn Leaves

Pandora

Pandora is another popular streaming radio service that lets you create personalized stations based on your favorite artists, songs, or genres. It has over 70 million monthly active users.

• Halloween Party
• Family Halloween

LiveXLive

LiveXLive is a streaming radio service that focuses on live music and events. It has over 42 million monthly active users. It offers hundreds of stations across various genres and moods.

• Halloween Party
• Halloween: The Count-Up

Need a Speaker to Play Your Halloween Music?

These speakers have LED lights to create the perfect eerie atmosphere!

Photo by Javier Molina on Unsplash

The post Best Free Streaming Radio for Halloween 2023 appeared first on Technically Well.

Pandora

• Study Radio
• Lo-Fi Chill Radio
• Chill Out Radio
• Ambient Radio

iHeart Radio

• Relaxing Sounds
• Starstreams

LiveXLive (formerly Slacker Radio)

• Ambient Dreams
• Chillwave

Spotify

Even if you don’t have a Spotify subscription, you can still shuffle these playlists for free.

• Deep Focus
• Chill Lofi Study Beats

Need some speakers or noise cancelling headphones?

Check out these great products from Soundcore.

The post Best Free Radio for Studying in 2023 appeared first on Technically Well.

Chromebooks are laptops that run on Google’s Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system that mainly relies on web-based applications and cloud storage. They are popular among students, educators, and casual users who need a cheap and easy way to access the internet and perform basic tasks.

But what about gaming? Can Chromebooks be used for gaming? The answer is not so simple. Chromebooks have some advantages and disadvantages when it comes to gaming, and depending on your preferences and expectations, they may or may not suit your needs. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that affect Chromebooks’ gaming performance and compatibility.

Pros of Using Chromebooks for Gaming

• Price: Chromebooks are generally cheaper than Windows or Mac laptops, which means you can save some money if you are on a tight budget. You can find decent Chromebooks for under $300, while most gaming laptops cost over $1000.
• Portability: Chromebooks are also lighter and thinner than most gaming laptops, which makes them easier to carry around and use anywhere. They also have long battery life, so you don’t have to worry about running out of juice in the middle of a game.
• Cloud Gaming: One of the best ways to play games on a Chromebook is to use cloud gaming services, such as XBox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now. These services allow you to stream games from powerful servers to your Chromebook via the internet, without requiring any installation or storage space. You can play high-end games that would otherwise be impossible to run on a Chromebook, as long as you have a stable and fast internet connection.
• Android Games: Another option for gaming on a Chromebook is to use the Google Play Store, which offers thousands of Android games that you can download and play on your device. Some of these games are optimized for Chrome OS, while others may require some tweaking or compatibility mode. You can also use a controller or a keyboard and mouse to enhance your gaming experience.

Cons of Using Chromebooks for Gaming

• Hardware Limitations: The biggest drawback of using Chromebooks for gaming is their hardware limitations. Most Chromebooks have low-end processors, graphics cards, RAM, and storage space, which means they cannot run demanding games smoothly or at all. Even if you use cloud gaming services, you may still encounter lag, stuttering, or low resolution due to your device’s specs.
• Software Restrictions: Another issue with using Chromebooks for gaming is their software restrictions. Chrome OS is not compatible with most PC games that are designed for Windows or Mac operating systems. You cannot install Steam, Epic Games Store, or other popular gaming platforms on your Chromebook. You may be able to use Linux apps or emulators to run some PC games, but this requires some technical skills and may result in poor performance or compatibility issues.
• Game Selection: Finally, using Chromebooks for gaming may limit your game selection. While there are many Android games available on the Google Play Store, they may not be as diverse or satisfying as PC games. You may also miss out on some exclusive titles that are only available on Windows or Mac platforms. Cloud gaming services offer more variety and quality, but they also depend on the availability and pricing of the games in their libraries.

FAQs

Can I upgrade my Chromebook’s hardware to improve its gaming performance?

No, most Chromebooks do not allow you to upgrade their hardware components, such as the processor, graphics card, RAM, or storage space. They are designed to be simple and affordable devices that do not require much maintenance or customization.

Can I use an external monitor or TV to play games on my Chromebook?

Yes, you can connect your Chromebook to an external monitor or TV using an HDMI cable or a USB-C adapter. This may improve your gaming experience by providing a larger screen size and resolution. However, it will not improve your device’s performance or compatibility with games.

Can I install Windows on a Chromebook?

Generally, no. While you might find some hacks online that allow you to install Windows on some Chromebook models, it typically requires opening up your Chromebook and disabling the system protections that keep ChromeOS secure. You would also need to purchase a Windows license and find the drivers (if they exist) for your Chromebook’s hardware.

What about Chromebooks specifically for gaming?

We recently reviewed the ASUS 15.6″ Chromebook for gaming. While it features some upper-end hardware, it is still intended mainly for cloud gaming. ChromeOS does not allow you to install things like Steam or Epic Games Store, but you can install some Android games.

ASUS – 15.6" Touchscreen Cloud Gaming Chromebook – Intel Core i5-1135G7 – 8GB Memory – 256GB SSD

★★★★☆

$699.00

Buy this item

Summary

Chromebooks are not the best devices for gaming, but they are not completely useless either. They have some pros and cons that you should consider before buying or using one for gaming. If you are looking for a cheap and portable device that can run some Android games or stream some cloud games, then a Chromebook may be a good option for you. But if you are looking for a powerful and versatile device that can run most PC games natively or with high quality, then a Chromebook may not be the best choice for you. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preferences and expectations.

Gray Chromebook photo by Kind and Curious on Unsplash

The post Can Chromebooks Be Used For Gaming? appeared first on Technically Well.

If you have an old MacBook that is slow and sluggish, you might want to consider installing Linux on it. Linux is a free and open-source operating system that can run on almost any hardware, including older MacBooks. Check out my detailed installation guide where I installed a Ubuntu 18.04 distro on my 2008 MacBook.

MacBooks are great devices, but they are not immune to aging. Over time, your MacBook might become slower, less responsive, and more prone to crashes. You might also find that the latest macOS updates are not compatible with your device, or that some of the apps you use are no longer supported. Apple usually provides security updates for the latest 3 releases of macOS, but this rule isn’t set in stone and some versions of macOS may be retired earlier.

If you are in this situation, you have a few options. You can either buy a new MacBook, which can be quite expensive, or you can try to upgrade your existing one, which can be tricky and risky. Or, you can do something different: you can install Linux on your old MacBook.

Linux is a free and open-source operating system that can run on almost any hardware, including older MacBooks. Linux offers many advantages, such as:

• More customization and control over your system
• Performance and stability
• Security and privacy
• A huge variety of software and applications
• A vibrant and helpful community of users and developers

Of course, Linux is not perfect. It can have some compatibility issues with certain hardware components, such as Wi-Fi cards or touchpads. It can also have a steeper learning curve than macOS, especially if you are not familiar with the command line. And it might not have all the features or apps that you are used to on macOS.

But if you are willing to give Linux a try, you might be surprised by how much it can improve your old MacBook’s performance and functionality. In this article, we will show you some of the best Linux distributions for older MacBooks and how to install them.

What is a Linux distribution?

A Linux distribution, or distro for short, is a collection of software that runs on top of the Linux kernel. The kernel is the core component of the operating system that manages the communication between the hardware and the software. A distro usually includes:

• A desktop environment: This is the graphical user interface that you see on your screen. It provides the basic elements such as menus, icons, windows, panels, etc.
• A package manager: This is a tool that allows you to install, update, and remove software from your system.
• A set of applications: These are the programs that you use for various tasks, such as browsing the web, editing documents, playing games, etc.

There are hundreds of Linux distros available, each with its own features, design, and philosophy. Some distros are designed for specific purposes or audiences, such as gaming, security, education, etc. Some distros are based on other distros, meaning that they share some of their components and software.

Choosing a Linux distro can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to Linux. To help you narrow down your options, we will focus on some of the best Linux distros for older MacBooks in the next section.

Best Linux distros for older MacBooks

When choosing a Linux distro for your old MacBook, there are a few factors that you should consider:

• Compatibility: You want a distro that works well with your MacBook’s hardware and does not require too much tweaking or troubleshooting.
• Performance: You want a distro that runs smoothly and does not consume too much of your MacBook’s resources.
• Usability: You want a distro that is easy to use and has a familiar and intuitive interface.
• Support: You want a distro that has regular updates and a large and active community of users and developers.

Based on these criteria, here are some of the best Linux distros for older MacBooks:

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is one of the most popular and widely used Linux distros in the world. It is based on Debian, another well-known and stable distro. Ubuntu is known for its user-friendliness,
simplicity, and reliability. It has a modern and elegant desktop environment called GNOME,
which resembles macOS in some aspects. It also has a large and diverse software repository,
and a long-term support (LTS) version that receives security updates for five years.

Ubuntu is compatible with most MacBooks, although you might need to install some additional drivers or firmware for some components, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Ubuntu also has good performance on older MacBooks, as long as you have at least 2 GB of RAM and 25 GB of disk space.

To install Ubuntu on your old MacBook, you need to download the ISO image file from the official website, and create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Etcher or Rufus. Then, you need to boot from the USB drive by holding down the Option key while turning on your MacBook, and follow the installation instructions on the screen.

Linux Mint

Linux Mint is another popular and user-friendly Linux distro that is based on Ubuntu.
It has a more traditional and conservative desktop environment called Cinnamon,
which resembles Windows in some aspects. It also has a more curated and streamlined software selection, and a custom update manager that lets you choose which updates to install.

Linux Mint is compatible with most MacBooks, and it usually does not require any additional drivers or firmware. Linux Mint also has good performance on older MacBooks, as long as you have at least 1 GB of RAM and 15 GB of disk space.

To install Linux Mint on your old MacBook, you need to download the ISO image file from the official website, and create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Etcher or Rufus. Then, you need to boot from the USB drive by holding down the Option key while turning on your MacBook, and follow the installation instructions on the screen.

Elementary OS

Elementary OS is a beautiful and elegant Linux distro that is inspired by macOS. It has a minimalist and sleek desktop environment called Pantheon, which features a dock, a top panel, and an app launcher. It also has a curated and refined software selection, and a pay-what-you-want model for downloading apps from its own app store.

Elementary OS is compatible with most MacBooks, although you might need to install some additional drivers or firmware for some components, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Elementary OS also has good performance on older MacBooks, as long as you have at least 1 GB of RAM and 15 GB of disk space.

To install Elementary OS on your old MacBook, you need to download the ISO image file from the official website, and create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Etcher or Rufus. Then, you need to boot from the USB drive by holding down the Option key while turning on your MacBook, and follow the installation instructions on the screen.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about installing Linux on older MacBooks:

Q: Can I dual-boot Linux and macOS on my old MacBook?

A: Yes, you can dual-boot Linux and macOS on your old MacBook, meaning that you can choose which operating system to use when you turn on your device. However, dual-booting can be complicated and risky, as it involves resizing partitions, modifying bootloaders, and dealing with potential conflicts between operating systems. If you want to dual-boot Linux and macOS on your old MacBook, you should backup your data first, and follow a detailed guide from a reputable source.

Q: Can I run Linux from a USB drive without installing it on my old MacBook?

A: Yes, you can run Linux from a USB drive without installing it on your old MacBook,
meaning that you can try out different distros without affecting your existing system.
However, running Linux from a USB drive can be slow and unstable, as it depends on the speed and quality of your USB drive.

If you want to run Linux from a USB drive without installing it on your old MacBook, you should use a fast and reliable USB drive with at least 8 GB of capacity.

Q: Can I revert back to macOS if I don’t like Linux on my old MacBook?

A: Yes, you can revert back to macOS if you don’t like Linux on your old MacBook, meaning that you can restore your original system if you change your mind. However, reverting back to macOS can be tedious and time-consuming, as it involves erasing your disk, reinstalling macOS from scratch, and restoring your data from backup. If you want to revert back to macOS if you don’t like Linux on your old MacBook, you should backup your data first before installing Linux.

Summary

Installing Linux on your old MacBook can be a great way to revive your device and enjoy its benefits over macOS. However, installing Linux also comes with some challenges and trade-offs that you should be aware of before making the switch.

The post Best Linux Distributions for Older MacBooks appeared first on Technically Well.

1. Use An Activity Tracker

Even if Santa did not bring you a new fitness gadget this holiday season, you can find many great deals on items like Apple Watches and FitBits.

There is something extremely motivating to me as I see those rings close or step counts go up. You can also set target goals with your Apple Watch friends or FitBit friends for some healthy competition!

2. Workout at Home

Even before the global pandemic, I found that working out at home really helped me stick to my goals. On cold winter mornings, I had a hard time motivating myself to get in my freezing car to drive to the gym only to find that someone beat me to the equipment I wanted to use.

Thankfully, there are plenty of options available for working out at home. Services like Apple Fitness+, Daily Burn, FitOn, and Beachbody OnDemand make it easy to get a great workout with minimal equipment.

There are also free workouts available on YouTube! Here are some to get you started:

• HASfit
• POPSUGAR Fitness
• BeFIT

3. Find Some Great Workout Music

Don’t yet have a playlist of your favorite workout music? Or are you simply looking for new music to motivate you? Check out these free streaming stations to get some motivation for your workout sessions!

• Pandora: Pop Fitness
• Pandora: Workout Hits
• Pandora: Alternative Endurance Training
• iHeart Radio: Club Jam Hits
• iHeart Radio: 24 Hour Cardio Mix
• iHeart Radio: Rock Workout Radio

Looking for workout headphones?

Here are a few of my favorites:

9.3

SoundPEATS Air3 Wireless Earbuds Mini Bluetooth V5.2 Earphones with Qualcomm QCC3040 and aptX-Adaptive, 4-Mic and CVC 8.0 Noise Cancellation, TrueWireless Mirroring Tech, in-Ear Detection, Game Mode

What’s New with the SOUNDPEATS Air3 compared to the TrueAir2? If you’re like me and you previously purchased the …

Buy It Now

Read full review

9.1

Plantronics – Backbeat FIT 3150 True Wireless Sport Headphones – Black

Design and Fit One of the things I like most about these headphones is the open design of the tips on the earbuds. …

$149.99 Buy It Now

Read full review

9.1

Soundcore by Anker, Soundcore Sport X10 True Wireless Bluetooth 5.2 Workout Headphones, Rotatable Ear Hooks, Deep Bass, IPX7 Waterproof, Sweatproof, 32H Play, Fast Charge, Sport Earbuds, Gym, Running

If you’ve tried working out with AirPods and had trouble with them staying in your ear, check out the Soundcore Sport …

$69.99 $79.99 Buy It Now

Read full review

4. Burn Calories Watching Netflix

No one likes staring at a wall while doing cardio indoors in the winter. Bring your tablet, prop it up on the elliptical or treadmill, and start binging on some of Netflix’s hits like Stranger Things, The Queen’s Gambit, Black Mirror, Ozark, and many more.

These movies and shows will suck you in and before you know it, you will have burned a ton of calories watching TV. If your gym has new touchscreen-enabled equipment, you may be able to log in to your Netflix right on on the machine.

Of course, you’re not limited to Netflix. If you have Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, or even a cable package that allows streaming your DVR content remotely, you’re sure to be entertained while the calories burn away.

With the right tracker, games, music, and entertainment, you’re ready to tackle your new year’s fitness goals!

Sparkler photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

The post 4 Fitness Motivation Hacks for the New Year 2023 appeared first on Technically Well.

The Fitness app no longer requires an Apple Watch

The Fitness app previously did not appear unless you paired your iPhone with an Apple Watch. With iOS 16, you can now track your daily activity using the motion sensors built-in to your phone and use that data to close your move ring.

Medication tracking

The Health app can now remind you to take your daily medications, supplements, and vitamins.

Heart rate zones in watchOS 9

You can view your current heart rate zone while working out with your Apple Watch. The zones are automatically calculated by Apple Watch using your health data.

New workout summaries

You can now scrub through your run and see metrics like your heart rate and pace at any particular point on the map.

Apple Fitness+ no longer requires an Apple Watch

Previously, you needed an Apple Watch to stream workouts from Apple’s streaming workout service: Apple Fitness+. Now, you can subscribe and stream the workouts (minus the on-screen Apple Watch metrics) with just an iPhone.

The post Best New Health Features in iOS 16 and watchOS 9 appeared first on Technically Well.

My Apple AirPods check all the boxes, but although I was able to pair them successfully to my PC, I was surprised how the sound quality went from awesome to sounding like “tin-cans-on-a-string” whenever I used them for calls. My peers said my voice sounded distant, muffled, and otherwise distorted. However, when using the AirPods with my iPhone, I’ve received compliments on how well they sound.

I also tried several other Bluetooth headphones (Beats, JBL, Soundcore, etc) and found they all performed similarly: when listening to audio, sound quality was fine, but as soon as the microphone was needed, the sound quality became horrible.

Why do Bluetooth headphones sound bad on a PC?

When you pair your Bluetooth headphones to a Windows PC, you’ve probably see that your headphones show up twice:

1. Headphones (Ryan’s AirPods Stereo)
2. Headset (Ryan’s AirPods Hands-Free AG Audio)

If you’ve played around with the volume/output settings, you’ve probably notice that #1 sounds great while #2 sounds like garbage.

When simply listening to audio, #1 (“Headphones”) is used and provides a wider frequency range (44-48KHz). It’s able to do so because audio is only going one-way: from your PC to your earbuds.

When you add your microphone into the mix, you have audio going back and forth, which narrows the amount of the small bandwidth available in the Bluetooth protocols. In order to “fit” both audio and the microphone into one narrow stream, the audio quality drops to a lower frequency range of 8KHz. This is known has a HFP (Hands-Free Profile) version of 1.5, which has been widely used on PCs for the past few years. Unfortunately, it sounds like garbage to both you and the people listening to you.

How do I improve Bluetooth call quality on PC?

Thanks to this helpful post on Reddit, I learned that HFP versions 1.6 and 1.7 doubles the frequency range to 16KHz (sometimes referred to as “HD Voice”), which greatly improves audio quality during calls. It is widely used in smartphones, which is why your Bluetooth headset sounds so much better when paired to your phone as compared to your PC.

So how do your get your PC to use HFP 1.6/1.7 and not HFP 1.5? Sadly, most built-in Bluetooth chipsets used in PCs and older Macs only support HFP 1.5 and you’ll need a new Bluetooth dongle to get HFP 1.6.

Unfortunately, this is not as easy as picking up a $10 Bluetooth dongle on Amazon as most do not advertise what HFP version they use. If you want to be sure, the somewhat pricey Jabra Link 370 USB adapter supports HFP 1.6 and will increase the sound quality of most Bluetooth headphones (assuming they support HFP 1.6 as well). If anyone finds another Bluetooth dongle that uses HFP 1.6 or higher, please let me know in the comments!

UPDATE: I found the Avantree DG80 USB adapter on Amazon is a cheaper alternative that also does a great job of providing better call quality with Bluetooth earbuds.

Avantree DG80 USB Bluetooth Audio Adapter for Connecting Headphones to…

$29.99

September 27, 2023 9:55 am

× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

2 new from $29.99

1 used from $28.21

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Jabra Link 370 (UC) USB Bluetooth Adapter, Black

$80.11 $101.00

September 27, 2023 9:55 am

× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

7 new from $80.00

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Either one of these adapters will show as 1 “sound card” to your PC and will automatically handle the switching between “headphones” mode when you’re listening only and to “headset” mode when the microphone is needed (the Avantree can be manually switched by pressing the button twice on the dongle if it doesn’t automatically switch). They both do a much better job of managing the Bluetooth profiles than what is built-in to Windows.

For the Jabra Link 370 USB adapter, you’ll need to use the Jabra Direct software to pair the dongle with your AirPods (or other headphones). The software might not show the AirPods as “paired” immediately, but if you close and re-open the software, it should show upon re-launch. Once your pair your AirPods to the Jabra dongle, the AirPods will “remember” the dongle and you can move the dongle to another PC and continue to use them (this is nice if you don’t have admin rights on your work PC, for example, to install the Jabra Direct software). In fact, I’ve plugged the Jabra adapter into the dock of my Nintendo Switch and was able to listen to my games through my AirPods (although, the latency made this unusable, so don’t buy the Jabra adapter specifically for the Switch).

The Avantree DG80 USB adapter does not require any software installation, however, if you have an issue with sound only coming from one AirPod during calls, you may need to perform a firmware update on the dongle.

Looking for a cheaper alternative?

Another way to work around this issue is to use another microphone, like your laptop’s built-in microphone or a USB microphone. In Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or whatever conference program you normally use, look in the program’s “settings” and manually change the audio to the “headphones” profile for your Bluetooth headphones and set the microphone to your laptop’s microphone (or external USB microphone). This unfortunately takes away your ability to walk around the room to stretch your legs, but will improve your sound quality and allow you to listen through your headphones.

Zoom meeting picture by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

The post Why does the mic sound so bad when connecting my AirPods/Bluetooth headphones to my PC? appeared first on Technically Well.

• Apple Watch Series 3 or later: Apple Fitness+ will require an Apple Watch with watchOS 7.2 or later, which is only supported on the Apple Watch Series 3 (released on Sept 22, 2017) or later. Need an Apple Watch? Check out the pricing of the Apple Watch SE below.
• Something to watch the workout on:
  • iPhone 6S or later: You can view the workouts on your iPhone as long as it has iOS 14.3 or later, which is currently supported on the iPhone 6S or later.
  • iPad: You can view the workouts on your iPhone as long as it has iPadOS 14.3 or later, which will enable the new Activity app for iPad.
  • Apple TV (4th gen) or Apple TV 4K: You can also watch the workouts on your TV as long as you have an Apple TV box with tvOS 14 or later.

That’s it! You just need a compatible Apple Watch and an Apple device on which to watch the workouts.

Do I need to subscribe to Apple Music to hear music during workouts?

No. If you do not subscribe to Apple Music, you’ll still be able to hear the music during the workouts. If you do subscribe to Apple Music, you’ll be able to listen to the workout playlists outside of the Fitness+ service.

Need an Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch SE is a lower-cost option that was released in 2020 and is compatible with the Fitness+ service. It’s missing some features from the Apple Watch 6 (such as the always-on display), but is still a solid option if you’re interested in an Apple Watch.

Apple Watch SE GPS, 40mm Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band

$279.99 in stock

BUY NOW

Target

Last update was on: October 6, 2023 1:33 am

Apple Watch SE has the same larger display size Retina display as Series 6, so you can see more at a glance. Advanced sensors to track all your fitness and workout goals. And powerful features to keep you healthy and safe. The Sleep app lets you set a bedtime routine and track your sleep. And you...

Apple Watch SE (GPS) 40mm Silver Aluminum Case with White Sport Band - Silver

$279.00

BUY NOW

Best Buy U.S

Last update was on: October 6, 2023 1:33 am

Heavy on features. Light on price.

The post What you need for Apple Fitness+ (Plus) appeared first on Technically Well.

The post Best Designs for Fall in Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2020 appeared first on Technically Well.

UVC Products Are The New Clickbait

I recently received an email from Woot showing a “UVClean+ Portable Instant UV Sterilizing and Disinfecting Wand” which I impulsively added to my cart. After several weeks, I received the wand in generic packaging with minimal instructions (which just briefly mentioned a safety warning of not shining the light at people). I took the standard safety precautions of wearing gloves and safety glasses and never pointing the light at people as I shined the light on common touchpoints around the home, but I was left wondering if it was actually doing anything, or was I giving myself a false sense of virus safety?

Many of the comments for the item mentioned that there was no way that the UVC LEDs could effectively kill viruses when they were housed behind a piece of plastic. This was, of course, assuming the LEDs were real UVC LEDs.

Checking for Fake UVC LEDs

UVC Dosimeters – devices that can “read” the UVC light levels – are quite pricey and I didn’t feel that spending $200 on a meter to verify that a $40 wand was working properly was a wise use of my funds. Then I stumbled upon some UVC test cards on Amazon for under $10. At that price, I was willing to take a chance on them.

These particular UVC test cards light up with a neon green glow while the UV-C light is shining on them, and immediately stop glowing when the light source is removed (in contrast, many other UV test cards continue to show an indicator several minutes after the light source is removed).

I first tested out the UVC card in my Homedics UV-Clean Portable Sanitizer. I trusted that the Homedics product contained real UVC LEDs since they’re a well-established brand that is easier to track down and sue than a random vendor on Woot. It was a little tricky to test since it required the case to be completely zippered shut in order to operate, so I set my phone to record video of the UVC test card while inside the sanitizing pouch. The video showed that the card did indeed light up with a neon color while in operation, confirming that the Homedics product was using UV-C light.

The Woot UV-C Wand Test

I then tested by Woot UVClean Wand. Unfortunately, the card did not show any traces of neon green when waving the wand over it. I was very disappointed in this fact as the many items I thought were disinfected by this light were actually not receiving any potentially sanitizing UV-C light.

I then decided – at the suggestion of the product’s commenters on Woot – to dismantle part of the wand just enough to remove the clear plastic shield covering the LEDs. When I tested again, I was surprised to see the card light up neon green without the plastic covering in the way. To further test, I left the plastic shield half-on, half-off, and confirmed that the clean plastic shield was indeed blocking any useful UV-C rays.

This brought forth some interesting points:

• The product, as sold, does not emit UVC light. It is filtered by the clear plastic piece covering the LEDs.
• The product, however, does contain UVC LEDs that are effectively useless until you dismantle the product.
• To actually disinfect anything with this wand, you need to remove the clear plastic shield that covers the LEDs.

So are UVC Wands worth it? Well, much is unknown about UV-C and the COVID-19 coronavirus, so it’s best to stick with the CDC’s recommended disinfection procedures. A real UVC LED wand might be a good supplement, but it should not replace these recommended disinfection guidelines.

The post Testing My UV-C Wand: Be Careful Not To Get Ripped Off appeared first on Technically Well.