Harmony Evans's Blog, page 728

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is almost half price right now

You can pre-order Assassin’s Creed Mirage on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for almost half price right now.

UK online retailer Hit.co.uk is offering Ubisoft’s forthcoming stealthy action-adventure game on pre-order ahead of its October 12 release for just £37.85. That’s a saving of £32.14 on its £69.99 RRP.

Save £32.14 on Assassin’s Creed Mirage pre-order

Hit.co.uk is offering Assassin’s Creed Mirage on pre-order for just £37.85, which is almost half-price.

HitSave £32.14Now £37.85

View Deal

Like we said, we talking almost half price here for Assassin’s Creed Mirage. That’s even cheaper than our previous pick for the best pre-order deal on this game.

We’ve picked out the PS5 version here, but the exact same price applies to the Xbox Series X/S version of the game.

If you’ve lost track of all the comings and goings in the sprawling AC saga, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is set in ninth-century Baghdad. You play the part of nimble street thief Basim.

How nimble? Well, it’s perhaps telling that one of the big new features is an acrobatic-sounding Pole Vault ability. Not that Basim’s moveset will be any less lethal than his predecessors/successors – there’s also a new Assassin’s Focus feature here that allows you to mark and assassinate several targets in a row.

According to Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed Mirage will get back to the series’ roots, with gameplay, visuals and storytelling that will make players feel “nostalgic”.

That’s evidently a reference to the original Assassin’s Creed game, which arrived on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 back in 2007. Since then, a dozen more Assassin’s Creed games have come to market, not to mention a dodgy 2016 film starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.

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Mitch McConnell Urges House Republicans to Oppose Joe Biden Impeachment | The Gateway Pundit

He really is the worst.

Mitch needs to switch parties.

Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urged House Republicans NOT to impeach Joe Biden for his multi-million dollar foreign bribery and pay-for-play schemes.

Breitbart.com reported:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has urged House Republicans to avoid impeaching President Joe Biden.

Speaking to the New York Times in an interview published Tuesday, McConnell said that he does not want to continue the impeachment cycle that Democrats started two years ago when they impeached former President Trump on dubious charges.

“I said two years ago, when we had not one but two impeachments, that once we go down this path it incentivizes the other side to do the same thing,” McConnell said.

“Impeachment ought to be rare,” he added. “This is not good for the country.”

The Republican Senate really is a lost bunch. It’s really not clear whose side they are on.

This is the same guy who lectured President Trump after the impeachment vote in the US Senate in 2021.
Go away, Mitch.

SNAKE: McConnell Uses Floor to Brutally Trash Trump Following Failed Impeachment Effort

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Galaxy S24 Ultra telephoto camera tipped for a big upgrade

Samsung’s next big flagship phone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, could pack a much improved telephoto camera.

Established Samsung tipster Ice Universe has been doing their leaky thing with regard to Samsung’s forthcoming supersizer. According to a recent Twitter post,”The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will feature a 50MP 3x telephoto camera”.

Exclusive: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will feature a 50MP 3x telephoto camera！

— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) August 9, 2023

This would represent quite a departure for the Ultra range. The last three generations have had 10MP telephoto camera sensors on 3x duty. You’d have to go back to 2020’s Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and its single 48MP 3.5x periscope camera (more recent models have all had a second 10x periscope) for something different.

It’s not the first time that this particular source has tipped changes to the Galaxy S24 Ultra camera. As far back as December – before the Galaxy S23 Ultra had even arrived to market – it was claimed Samsung would be swapping out its familiar 10MP telephoto for a “new solution”.

Other sourced have since chimed in to corroborate that change is afoot for the Ultra line’s zoom abilities.

We’re expecting the main camera to remain largely the same, at least in terms of hardware. Given that we said of the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 200MP main camera delivered some of the best results we’d seen from a smartphone to date, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Indeed, most of Samsung’s development efforts seem to have gone into that main sensor in recent years, so it’s probably a good thing that it’s (allegedly) turning its attention to the other three sensors for the 2024 model.

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Conservative Megadonors Reportedly in Talks to Invest in Tucker Carlson’s New Media Venture | The Gateway Pundit

Being forced out of FOX News may end up being the best thing that ever happened to Tucker Carlson.

It’s no secret that Tucker is in the process of building his own media company, but the hot new buzz around the project is that he is attracting some very wealthy conservatives who want to invest in the company.

At some point, the people who run FOX News are going to really regret getting rid of the network’s biggest draw.

CNBC reports:

Tucker Carlson could see Rebekah Mercer, Peter Thiel invest in his media company

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson could see two of the wealthiest GOP business megadonors, Rebekah Mercer and Peter Thiel, invest in his new media company, according to people familiar with the matter.

Mercer has spoken with Carlson since his April departure from Fox News about possibly investing in his as yet unnamed media company, sources told CNBC. Thiel has hinted to allies that he could invest in the venture after hearing from Carlson’s side, these people added.

It was unclear Monday whether Thiel or Mercer had officially moved ahead with a financing plan, and their spokespeople did not respond to multiple requests for comment over several weeks, including outreach on Monday. A spokesman for Carlson did not return a request for comment.

But both of them have privately expressed interest in helping Carlson, said numerous sources, who were granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The move by Carlson and his team to cultivate potential investors like Mercer and Thiel signals that the former Fox News host’s new project could be on the brink of gaining financial support from some of the nation’s most recognized conservative megadonors.

Tucker recently spoke to college students of Turning Point USA about the media. Take a look:

Tucker Carlson breaks down how the media uses the term “disinformation” to insinuate that true statements are actually lies. pic.twitter.com/Awzl9yNnqP

— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) August 1, 2023

Tucker Carlson details exactly how he finds accurate news in today’s media landscape.

“If you wanna know what’s true… look at the people and news sources that CNN finds outrageous.” pic.twitter.com/a0G7oV3n1w

— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) August 1, 2023

Those clips are probably a good preview of what Tucker’s new media company will be like.

It’s going to be very popular.

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How to use the Samsung Galaxy Enhance-X app

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

Even with the best camera phone in your hand, your shots may need a few touch-ups to look their best. AI-powered apps are making it easier than ever to customize and enhance images. Samsung Galaxy Enhance-X is one of these apps with various features that simplify photo editing. Today, we’ll explore what this app is all about, how the Enhance-X app works, and how you can use it to remaster your photos on your Samsung phone.

QUICK ANSWER

The Samsung Galaxy Enhance-X app is an AI-based photo editing app that allows users to refine, tweak, and enhance images. If your device is compatible with the Galaxy Enhance-X app, download it from the Galaxy Store. Once done, you can give the app access to your photos and start editing them immediately.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

What is the Samsung Galaxy Enhance-X app, and how does it work?

Samsung Galaxy Enhance-X is a photo editor app that enhances and refines your photos on compatible Samsung devices. The app simplifies photo editing, allowing you to enhance your images in just a few taps without advanced technical knowledge.

Launched in mid-2022, the app uses AI smarts to analyze your photos for imperfections and applies enhancements accordingly. It can bring blurry photos into focus, adjust brightness, and even add HDR effects to bring out vibrant colors and details.

Don’t have the editing prowess to adjust each aspect separately? Apply the Magic feature that uses AI to adjust and enhance the image with just one click. The Enhance-X app can also fix lens distortion, remove reflections and shadows, and adjust smoothness, eye size, and jawline in portrait shots. It also offers a dedicated Portrait mode that applies a depth-of-field effect to your photos.

Where can I get the Galaxy Enhance-X app?

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The Galaxy Enhance-X app is exclusively available for download on the Galaxy Store, only on compatible Samsung devices. The app is currently compatible with various flagship models. These include:

Z Flip 4Z Fold 3Z Flip 3Z Fold 2Z Flip 5GZ Flip LTE

To install the app, ensure your device runs One UI 5.1 or above. Samsung will announce the app’s support for Galaxy tablets, Galaxy A series, and Galaxy M series later.

You can’t use Samsung Galaxy Enhance-X on a non-Samsung or an incompatible Samsung phone. Even if you download an APK from a separate resource, it’s unlikely that the app will run on your incompatible phone.

How to use the Galaxy Enhance-X app

If you have a supported phone and are ready to enhance some of your images, here’s how to get started.

Download the Galaxy Enhance-X app.Once the download is complete, open the Galaxy Enhance-X app and allow it to access your gallery.Tap an image from your gallery that you would like to enhance. The app will analyze the image for imperfections and offer various enhancement suggestions.Explore the tools available, like the Magic feature, HDR, Fix Blur, Remove Reflection, Remove Shadows, and more. Tap your desired enhancement tool to apply it and adjust the intensity of the effects as desired.Review the changes made to your photo. If satisfied with the enhancements, select Save to save the edited photo. The app will store both the original and enhanced versions.

Find your edited photos in the Galaxy Enhance-X album within your phone’s gallery. You can view, share, or further edit these photos as needed.

FAQsWhy can’t I download the Samsung Galaxy Enhance-X app?

The app is currently available only on the Galaxy Store and runs on selected premium Samsung devices.

Can you use the Samsung Galaxy Enhance-X app on a non-Samsung phone?

You can install the app through an APK on a non-Samsung phone, but there’s a high chance it won’t work. The app is optimized for particular Samsung phones and shows compatibility issues on other devices.

What’s a good alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Enhance-X app?

One good alternative to the Galaxy Enhance-X app is Snapseed. It offers various editing tools and filters to customize and remaster your photos.

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White House Cocaine Traced to Individual in ‘Biden Family Orbit’: “If You Want the Name, Ask Joe Biden,” Claims Source | The Gateway Pundit

Last month, a bag of cocaine was discovered in the West Wing of the White House. Recent claims suggest it might belong to an individual closely associated with the Biden family. According to sources per New York Post, President Biden may know the identity of this individual.

In a report published on Sunday by Soldier of Fortune, publisher Susan Katz Keating cited information from three security sources.

“All three sources independently told Soldier of Fortune the same name, which arose from an investigation into the incident. The sources currently work for a U.S. government agency, and are not authorized to speak to the media,” Keating wrote.

Susan Katz Keating is an award-winning writer and investigative journalist who has covered military, defense, and security issues. Over the years, she has written for various publications such as Washington Times and Washington Examiner and has reported from several conflict zones, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Northern Ireland. Keating has a reputation for her in-depth reporting on U.S. military and related matters.

Keating’s sources indicate that even though the Secret Service officially announced the conclusion of the investigation due to a “lack of physical evidence,” they had, in fact, managed to identify a suspect. This suspect, it is claimed, was subsequently reported to Joe Biden.

One of these sources told Keating, “If you want the name, ask Joe Biden. He knows who it is.” A different source was quick to clarify that the individual in question was not the president’s son, Hunter Biden.

“It was someone within the Biden family orbit, and it wasn’t Hunter,” said a second source.

BREAKING: Report claims White House cocaine belonged to someone in the ‘Biden family orbit’ and Joe knows exactly who left it there. pic.twitter.com/2Pjo11n7cQ

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 9, 2023

More from Soldier of Fortune:

A white substance was found on July 2 inside the White House, prompting an hours-long, massive response from law enforcement and Hazardous Materials teams. The discovery caused the White House to be evacuated, and streets to be closed along key sectors. A lab test proved that the substance was cocaine.

Another test brought back a hit on fingerprints, a security source said.

The Secret Service launched an official investigation into who brought the cocaine into the Executive Mansion, but shut down the investigation on July 13 for lack of evidence.

But investigators know who brought in the cocaine, security sources said – and so does the president.

Keating even claimed to have texted a contact number believed to be associated with President Biden in an effort to determine the culprit, but the message bounced back and was not delivered.

“Others within the family orbit – Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, Ashley Biden, and Kamala Harris – did not immediately return requests for comment,” according to Keating.

“I noted the text because every other method I tried brought no results. I am getting a lot of good information from sources, but I have to give the White House / Biden the opportunity to respond,” Keating told The Post.

“I sent several text messages, as per their offering. Each time, it bounced back as undelivered. I published the screen shot to show that I used the method the White House told me to use, and it didn’t work. I wanted to document that I made the attempt.”

Neither The New York Post nor The Gateway Pundit have been able to confirm these claims.

The Gateway Pundit previously reported that former Secret Service Agent Dan Bongino said he spoke to some of his former colleagues in the Secret Service and they are absolutely furious about the agency’s cocaine ‘investigation.’

The Secret Service closed its investigation into the Biden White House cocaine scandal without conducting any interviews.

The Secret Service last Thursday concluded its investigation into the cocaine scandal that rocked the White House.

No suspect was identified.

The baggy of cocaine was “found in a blind spot for surveillance cameras.”

No fingerprints, DNA samples, or leads!

According to Secret Service spokesman Anthony Gugliemi, the agency didn’t interview the 500 potential culprits because it would be a strain on resources.

Dan Bongino said he has received numerous texts and emails from former colleagues in the agency and they are furious over the sham investigation.

Bongino explained how the West Wing is a “limited access” area.

“So there’s probably less than 200 people who could have left this cocaine, by the way, in a bag which is plastic, which is non-porous, meaning it’s probably not that hard to pull a latent print. They’ve got to know who did it. The question is who’s pressuring them to not find out who did it? And it’s gotta be coming from this White House. This is terrible. Don’t destroy this agency like they did the FBI. It’s really unbecoming,” Bongino said.

“A lot of my former colleagues in the Secret Service who retired, they are absolutely furious about this. Oh yeah, yeah, I can tell you — I got 50 emails, communications, texts from people. ‘This is embarrassing, humiliating.’ These are good guys, man, guys who worked for Obama and Bush, non-partisan guys, most of them aren’t even political. This is embarrassing, they know exactly who it was,” he said.

“Wow! Do these people want it to come out that it was probably Hunter Biden?” Daily Signal reporter Mary Margaret Olohan asked Bongino.

“Well, you know, is it – the question is, is it Hunter or one of his friends? But like here’s the thing. So, I’m in the Secret Service for 12 years, a good amount of times. We never had this problem. So nobody, by Occam’s razor, right, the process of deduction, keep things simple, keep it simple stupid, Occam’s razor. You’ve got this guy, we never found coke in there before. You’ve got a dude who’s doing coke on tape, who’s got a reputation for being a coke addict. He’s living in the White House. He’s there on Friday. The coke’s found there on Sunday, and everybody is like, “Gosh, who could it be,” Bongino said.

Bongino reiterated his concern that the Biden White House was going to destroy faith in the Secret Service.

 

 

 

 

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BREAKING: President Trump Reveals the Dirty Jan. 6 Committee Illegally Destroyed their Records and Documents Now that He Has Full Subpoena Power | The Gateway Pundit

(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell report on his Truth Social platform that the sham committee overseeing the investigation of the January 6th Capitol riot has destroyed their documents and records illegally.

On Tuesday, Trump wrote:

President Trump: So now that I have full Subpoena Power because of the Freedom of Speech Sham Indictment by Crooked Joe Biden, Deranged Jack Smith, and the DOJ, it has just been reported that the Unselect January 6th Committee of Political Hacks and Thugs has illegally destroyed their Records and Documents. This is unthinkable, and the Fake Political Indictment against me must be immediately withdrawn. The system is Rigged & Corrupt, very much like the Presidential Election of 2020. We are a Nation in Decline!

Screenshot: @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

The Gateway Pundit previously reported that Dr. Jan Halper-Hayes, during a recent interview, said that special counsel Jack Smith made a huge mistake in indicting Trump related to Jan. 6 incident because it gives him the power to subpoena people.

“They’ve made a huge mistake with this one, because even though we thought what was going to happen was they were going to go after him for treason or sedition, they did criminally charge him, but they didn’t go to that extreme. As a result, he has due process, so he can subpoena people and bring things in,” she said.

Trump was hit with 4 counts in Jack Smith’s January 6 case: Conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.

Jack Smith’s latest indictment is a retread J6 committee garbage, free speech violations by the Biden DOJ, who should know better, and ESP-like assumptions and mind-reading nonsense.

It can be recalled that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) sent a letter to House January 6th Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) on November 2022 demanding preservation of committee records for the incoming Republican-controlled Congress next January 2023. McCarthy also said Republicans would hold hearings on why the Capitol was “not secure” on January 6, 2021.

Read the letter below:

Dear Chairman Thompson:

The American people chose Republicans to lead the 118th Congress. On January 3, 2023, your work as Chairman of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol will come to an end. For those reasons, I remind you and your staff on the Committee to preserve all records collected and transcripts of testimony taken during your investigation in accordance with House Rule VII. As the Chairman, regardless of who may be directing the work of the Committee, you are responsible for the work done by its members and staff.

It is clear based on recent news reports that even your own members and staff of the Committee have no visibility into the totality of the investigation. Some reports suggest that entire swaths of findings will be left out of the Committee’s final report. You have spent a year and a half and millions of taxpayers’ dollars conducting this investigation. It is imperative that all information collected be preserved not just for institutional prerogatives but for transparency to the American people. The official Congressional Records do not belong to you or any member, but to the American people, and they are owed all of the information you gathered — not merely the information that comports with your political agenda. Although your Committee’s public hearings did not focus on why the Capitol complex was not secure on January 6, 2021, the Republican majority in the 118th Congress will hold hearings that do so. The American people have a right to know that the allegations you have made are supported by the facts and to be able to view the transcripts with an eye toward encouraged enforcement of 18 USC 1001.

Excerpt from 18 USC 1001:

(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully—
(1)falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;
(2)makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3)makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both. If the matter relates to an offense under chapter 109A, 109B, 110, or 117, or section 1591, then the term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be not more than 8 years.

According to Fox News, Democrat Bennie Thompson (D-MS) told House Republicans in a letter, stating, “Consistent with guidance from the Office of the Clerk and other authorities, the Select Committee did not archive temporary committee records that were not elevated by the Committee’s actions, such as use in hearings or official publications, or those that did not further its investigative activities.”

The letter continued, “Accordingly, and contrary to your letter’s implication, the Select Committee was not obligated to archive all video recordings of transcribed interviews or depositions. Based on guidance from House authorities, the Select Committee determined that the written transcripts provided by nonpartisan, professional official reporters, which the witnesses and Select Committee staff had the opportunity to review for errata, were the official, permanent records of transcribed interviews and depositions for the purposes of rule VII.”

This is developing. Please check back for updates.

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Indictment Watch: Georgia Grand Jury to Hear Trump 2020 Election Case Next Week | The Gateway Pundit

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will take her findings from her garbage investigation into Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election to a grand jury next week.

“On Tuesday afternoon, two witnesses who received subpoenas to appear before the Fulton County grand jury said in interviews that they had not received notices instructing them to testify within the next 48 hours, a sign that the case will not get to the jury until next week.” – The New York Times reported.

The Atlanta courthouse on Monday locked down ahead of Fani Willis’ decision to charge Trump.

Fani Willis is reportedly ‘ready to go’ and gearing up to indict Trump possibly next week.

Fulton County prosecutors are preparing sprawling racketeering charges against Trump over his effort to challenge the 2020 election in Georgia.

Fani Willis based her investigation on President Trump’s call with Georgia officials that was later doctored and leaked to the fake news outlet Washington Post. The WaPo published a completely fraudulent text of the call. These phony charges have already been debunked by The Gateway Pundit and others.

Since the racketeering statute in Georgia requires prosecutors to show a pattern of activity on at least two “qualifying” crimes, Fani Willis’s team will pursue the indictment on statutes related to “influencing witnesses and computer trespass.” – The Guardian recently reported.

The exact evidence is unclear, however, the computer trespass charge is related to efforts to access and examine the Dominion Voting Systems machines in Coffee County.

The ‘influencing witness’ charge may be related to Trump’s phone call with Brad Raffensperger.

Since Coffee County is outside of Fani Willis’s jurisdiction, the racketeering statute allows her to cast a wider net.

Trump lashed out at Fani Willis during his rally in New Hampshire this week.

“They say there’s a young woman, a young racist, in Atlanta – she’s a racist… and they say, I guess, they say she was after a certain gang, she ended up having an affair with the head of the gang or a gang member,” Trump said of Fani Willis.

“And this is a person who wants to indict me. She’s got a lot of problems but, she wants to indict me to try and run for some other office…by the way, she wants to indict me for a perfect phone call. This is even better than my perfect phone call with Ukraine!” Trump said.

WATCH:

President Trump on Fani Willis:

“They say she was after a certain gang and she ended up having an affair with the head of the gang or a gang member. And this is the person who wants to indict me? She’s got a lot of problems.”pic.twitter.com/7pxq3fhqev

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 8, 2023

Fani Willis’ charges will be the 4th time Trump is indicted.

Special Counsel Jack Smith has already hit Trump with 44 federal counts – 40 counts in Florida in the classified documents case and 4 counts in Washington DC in the January 6 case.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg earlier this year charged Trump with 34 felony counts related to his ‘hush payment’ to porn star Stormy Daniels.

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Why Your Business Should Be Using Automated Payment Systems

Business finances are sometimes challenging to manage, and without a solid financial system and strategy in place, your business could fall into disarray. With the help of an automated payment solution, you may be able to save time, save money, and streamline operations – and in the age of AI, our automated payment technologies are more advanced than ever.

But how exactly do these platforms work and are they always worth using?

How Do Automated Payment Systems Work?

What is an automated payment system for business, anyway?

Your business is responsible for making payments to countless vendors and suppliers. If it’s a large business, or a complicated one, you might be responsible for processing hundreds or even thousands of payments every day.

Ordinarily, you’ll have to undertake this as a tedious, manual effort. People on your accounting team will be responsible for manually reviewing each invoice, submitting payments, troubleshooting issues, and so on.

An automated payment system attempts to make this much more streamlined, efficient, and (in many ways) touchless. Through this type of system, your business will be able to pay invoices electronically, instead of with paper checks. Your business will be able to process and approve payments for multiple invoices in batches, rather than looking at them one at a time. Your business will be able to use various payment methods, including wire transfers, virtual credit cards, and ACH transfers, to meet the requirements of your vendors.

As you might imagine, there are many different types of automated payment systems available for businesses to adopt. Features vary from platform to platform, but most automated payment systems have similar fundamentals.

The Pros and Cons of Automated Payment Systems

What are the pros and cons of using an automated payment system?

These are the advantages:

 Time savings. The biggest advantage is likely time savings. At the largest scales, and over a long enough time, an automated payment solution can save your organization hundreds if not thousands of man-hours. This could prevent you from needing to hire more people. It could free up your team members to focus on more important responsibilities. And perhaps most importantly, it saves you money on labor.Cost savings. Saving money on labor is just the beginning, however. Because these payment systems are quick, easy, and capable of batching payments together, they typically come with lower transaction costs. If you add up all the cost-saving elements of your platform, it’s not hard to see why an automated payment solution can pay for itself.Reduction of human error. Better financial technology can greatly reduce the role of human error in your daily operations. Obviously, errors are still possible, but they’re much less likely with an automated, efficient machine in place. Invoice mistakes could become a thing of the past.Improved transparency. Good automated payment systems have thorough tracking and reporting, so you have full transparency at every step of the process. If something goes wrong, you’ll be able to figure out why. If you’re looking for more advanced accounting analytics, you’ll be able to obtain them. Better security. In many ways, automated payments are much more secure than manual payments. There are fewer humans involved at every step, and the process is so fast and seamless that there are many opportunities for fraud.Faster financial closing. Some businesses love the advantage of faster financial closing. Thanks to all the time you’ll save, you’ll be in a prime position to close out your payments in record time.Better relationships with suppliers. Your suppliers are also going to appreciate your automated payment system; they get their money faster and they have less to worry about. In some cases, they can even choose how they get paid.There aren’t many downsides to consider, assuming you choose the best platform:Price. Most automated payment solutions aren’t free. Depending on what you’re looking for, you could end up paying up to a few hundred dollars every month for this solution. But considering how much time and money you’re likely to save, this investment is usually worth it.The initial rollout. Some businesses have trouble initially rolling out a platform like this. If your team is used to issuing payments manually, or if you already have many different types of accounting software in play, this can be technically challenging and frustrating for the people in your organization who are resistant to change. Still, with proper preparations, you can mitigate this potential problem.Technical errors. Technical errors can be a complicating factor for almost any type of technology, and automated payment solutions are no exception. Programming errors, user misuse, and other glitches may occasionally present temporary challenges that need to be overcome.How to Choose the Best Automated Payment System

One of the caveats here is that you’re only going to reap the greatest benefits of automated payments if you choose the best platform for your business.

These are the most important variables to consider on this front:

Core features. Your most important consideration should be the core features associated with this platform. What types of payments are available? How do you set up automatic payments? What other features are available? What support is available for data transparency and reporting?Usability. Your automated payment system might be capable of doing most of the work regarding your payments, but human beings will still be responsible for using it on a daily basis. Accordingly, you also need to think about usability. Is it going to be relatively simple to train and educate people on how to use this platform? Will your staff members benefit from using it?Compatibility. What about compatibility? Does this platform integrate with other accounting platforms that you’re already using? How does it fit into the rest of your technology stack?Reliability. Automation is only beneficial if it’s reliable. Does this platform have a demonstrated track record of success? Are there ample good reviews and testimonials?Pricing. Obviously, you’ll need to think about pricing. Some automation platforms are more expensive than others; they may be worth the extra money, but that’s on you to decide.Support and troubleshooting. What happens if and when something goes wrong? Is there adequate customer service available to help you resolve potential issues?Developer roadmap. Finally, find and consider the developer road map. Does the development team seem focused on providing ongoing support for the platform? Are there interesting new features in the works?Additional Best Practices

There are also some additional best practices that you should follow when using an automated payment system for your business:

Ensure a smooth rollout. New technology isn’t always a purely good addition to your business. There may be certain challenges preventing your business from integrating this software into the other accounting software you’re using. It may be challenging to convince your staff members that this platform is worth using, or difficult to train them to use it. But with proper proactive planning, you can mitigate most of these issues and ensure a smooth rollout.Offer multiple payment options. Within your automated payments platform, you may have the option of what types of payments to offer. Generally, the more flexible you are, the better it is for your suppliers, so offer multiple payment options if you can.Test and monitor regularly. Automation is incredibly valuable, and in many cases, almost perfectly reliable. But it’s still a good idea to have some human checks and balances in place; test and monitor your software regularly to ensure it’s working as intended.

With better automated payment systems in place, your business can save time, save money, reduce human error, and make your suppliers happier. There are some costs, and initial integrations may be technically challenging, but this is an investment that can pay off for almost any business that makes payments on a large enough scale.

Deanna Ritchie Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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Ethernet not working? Here’s how to fix it

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Using Wi-Fi is nice, but the truth is it doesn’t beat a good Ethernet connection. Ethernet provides much higher speeds, lower latency, improved stability, better security, and it can even transmit electricity. But, like all technology, Ethernet is not without its faults, and it can fail. Is your Ethernet not working? Let’s give you some troubleshooting tips to get you connected again in no time.

How to fix your Ethernet connection that’s not working

Editor’s note: We developed these instructions using an HONOR Magicbook 14 running Windows 11. Depending on your hardware and software, some steps and menus may look slightly different. 

Is your Ethernet cable well connected?

Kris Carlon / Android Authority

Ethernet cables have a secure mechanism that clips on once fully inserted. This makes it hard for a cable to become loose, but sometimes these can move around, and pins can lose contact.

The first thing you should try when encountering issues with Ethernet not working is to ensure the cable is fully connected, both on the device and the modem or router. Just check both ends of the cable and make sure to plug them in securely. It’s always good to remove the cable from the ports and reinsert them, just as a safe measure.

If you’re using a dongle to connect to Ethernet, also make sure the dongle is fully inserted into your computer’s port.

Once you do this, try connecting to the internet again. You may realize it was just a loose contact issue. Otherwise, move on to the next troubleshooting tip.

Check if the Ethernet cable works

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

If the Ethernet not working isn’t due to a loose connection, it’s reasonable to assume there may be something wrong with the cable. Inspect the cable thoroughly and ensure there are no significant bends, rips, or other signs of obvious damage. Also, inspect the tips, and see if there are any bent pins or loose wires in there.

Just keep in mind that a cable may malfunction even if it looks fine. The damage may be internal, or unnoticeable to the naked eye.

If you suspect the issue might be the cable’s integrity, your best bet is to try another cable. If you don’t have a spare, try to borrow one from a neighbor or friend. You can buy one for pretty cheap, too. We have a list of the best Ethernet cables if you need some help picking the right one.

Restart the modem and router

Kris Carlon / Android Authority

If you’re connecting to the internet using an Ethernet cable, you’re hardwired to either a modem or a router. These can sometimes fail to work for no apparent reason, and a simple restart often gets everything back in place when Ethernet is not working.

Some modems and routers have a restart button. Press it, if you can find it. If there is no restart button, unplug the device from its power source and wait for 30-60 seconds. Then plug it back in.

Also, it might help to try and change the Ethernet port you’re using. Sometimes these corrode or fail for a number of reasons.

Try a Wi-Fi connection

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Have you considered the fact that the problem may be your internet connection? A simple way to test if this is the case is to connect to your Wi-Fi network, if possible. Or you could check if other devices connected to the network via Wi-Fi work as expected. If the Wi-Fi isn’t working either, you can assume the problem is with the internet connection.

Look for viruses

If you’re having issues with Ethernet not working, chances are you’re using a computer, and these are much more prone to viruses than mobile devices. Some viruses can attack your network connectivity, including the Ethernet.

It’s always a good idea to look into the best antivirus software for your PC. Pick your favorite option from the list and run a virus scan. The software will instruct you what to do if your computer has a virus affecting your Ethernet performance.

Additionally, some say an antivirus or firewall can interfere with your Ethernet connection. You may want to try turning these off for a bit and see if that helps when you have issues with Ethernet not working. Just be careful, as removing these can leave you vulnerable.

Restart the computer or device

Sometimes a simple restart can get everything back in working order. It’s one of the first troubleshooting tips you should try when anything isn’t working as expected. Reboot your computer and see if that helps when your Ethernet is not working.

If you’re not using a computer, and don’t know how to restart the device you’re working with, cut its power source for 30-60 seconds and reconnect it. You can do this by unplugging it, or removing the battery if it has one.

Are you using a VPN?

If you’re using a VPN, there is a chance that’s what is affecting your connection. Virtual private network servers can go down, or get congested, in which case your internet connection can be affected. Try turning off your VPN and see if that helps.

How to turn off a VPN on Windows:Launch the Settings app.Go into the Network & internet tab.Click on VPN.Select Disconnect next to the VPN you want to turn off.

You might be using an app. If so, the VPN likely won’t show up in the settings. Click on the app tray and look for any VPN app option. Open the app and look for a button to disconnect your VPN connection.

Is your Ethernet enabled?

Ethernet is usually enabled by default, but there are exceptions. Not to mention you may disable it accidentally. It’s best to make sure Ethernet is enabled and ready to use.

How to enable Ethernet on Windows:Right-click on the Windows button.Select Device Manager.Expand the Network adapters optionLook for an Ethernet option. Realtek is a very common network card, so chances are that’s what you’ll have.If you see this option, or whichever network card your computer has, and it has an arrow pointing down, this means it’s off. Right-click on it.Select Enable device.Reinstall the Ethernet drivers

There is also a possibility Ethernet is not working due to corrupt or outdated drivers. It’s a good idea to update or reinstall the drivers.

How to update your network card drivers:Right-click on the Windows button.Select Device Manager.Expand the Network adapters optionLook for an Ethernet option. Realtek is a very common network card, so chances are that’s what you’ll have. Right-click on it.Select Update driver.Pick Search automatically for drivers.The system will let you know if there are available updates and give you instructions to install them.How to reinstall your network card drivers:Right-click on the Windows button.Select Device Manager.Expand the Network adapters optionLook for an Ethernet option. Realtek is a very common network card, so chances are that’s what you’ll have. Right-click on it.Select Uninstall device.Confirm by hitting Uninstall.Restart the computer.Reset your network settings

Are you still having issues with your Ethernet not working? It’s time to take out the bigger guns. Maybe you should reset your network settings. This will bring your network settings back to default. It will delete any extra settings, so you may need to reinstall things like VPNs and other network tools.

How to reset your network settings on Windows:Launch the Settings app.Go into the Network & internet tab.Select the Advanced network settings option.Hit Network reset.Click on the Reset now button.Confirm by selecting Yes.

FAQsIs Ethernet faster than Wi-Fi?

It depends on what type of Ethernet cable you use. Generally speaking, though, Ethernet can be much faster than Wi-Fi.

For starters, a physical connection will have much less latency. In terms of raw download and upload speeds, Ethernet also has the winning edge. A Cat 8 Ethernet cable can reach speeds of up to 40Gbps, while the fastest Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E standards are limited to 9.6Gbps.

What is gigabit Ethernet?

Gigabit Ethernet refers to Ethernet connections that can reach 1Gbps speeds. These are still considered really fast connections and are usually as good as you can get without upgrading to enterprise solutions.

How long can an Ethernet cable be?

Technically speaking, there is no limit to how long Ethernet cables can be. That said, performance does degrade as Ethernet cables get longer. Cable speeds are usually tested at 100 meters, though. This means you can have a 100-meter Ethernet cable and still reach the advertised performance. It’s said that going above that will result in degraded performance.

If the problem isn’t with your router, modem, cable, or computer settings, there is not much else you can do to fix the issue yourself. Chances are you have a faulty Ethernet port in your device. Your best bet is to look into your warranty or insurance, to see if the manufacturer or insurance provider can fix the device for you. If your device is not covered by either, you might need to pay to get it fixed.

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