Veronica Belmont

Robotics

Robotics By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: The bots are taking over!

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-306001{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-306001, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-306001{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-306001").style.display="none";}catch(e){} It seems like everyone is talking about bots these days: from major announcements by Facebook, to the quick demise of Tay from Microsoft, to a myriad tiny chatbots flooding your Twitter timeline. But what are they actually good for? Great question! To help figure that out, I'm welcoming back onto the show Ryan Block, co-founder of Begin (and former editor of this very website!). And OK, you can talk to Belbot here. Godspeed.

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Science By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Yes, the Earth is round

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-663812{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-663812, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-663812{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-663812").style.display="none";}catch(e){} I can't believe I even had to type that as a title. But apparently it's a thing on the internet to believe that we live on a flat planet. Whether or not they're trying to troll us is unimportant; what's important is that Dr. Kiki Sanford is back to tell those dummies to prove it, with SCIENCE! I also take a look at what could be causing your "ghost" Twitter notifications on your phone, and let a snacky fan know that it's ok if he brings food into the theater. I won't tell.

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By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Social media petiquette

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-78409{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-78409, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-78409{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-78409").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Your pets do amazing and noteworthy things everyday, right? (Right). So it makes sense that we want them to have their own presence on social media, so everyone knows what a good dog they really are. But how much is too much? Robert Heron also joins us once more to talk about the latest picture-in-picture technology. It's come a long way! Now, you'll never have to decide between watching Call of Duty replays vs. Game of Thrones! We do, however, need to talk about how much violence you're consuming. It's not good for your brain (probably, I'm not a brain doctor). Follow @Bodegathedog on Twitter and @DailyBodega on Instagram!

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News By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: A taste for laziness

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-703838{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-703838, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-703838{width:100%;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-703838").style.display="none";}catch(e){} OK, the title is a little inflammatory. I know that not everyone using meal delivery services are lazy -- heck, some people have things like children and full-time jobs to think about! But there are alternatives out there, and Gabi Moskowitz of the BrokeAss Gourmet has the answers for you. Since it's tax time (ugh), I also talk about ways to make the whole process a lot easier using Dropbox. It's tough enough paying Uncle Sam; might as well ease the burden a bit!

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Science By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Will VR work with monocular vision?

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-682339{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-682339, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-682339{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-682339").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Welcome back to the show, everyone! We're all getting pretty excited about the VR headsets coming to market this year, and a good portion of those users will be wearing glasses. But what about those of us without great depth perception due to monocular vision? Jessica Conditt, Engadget Senior Editor, joins us again to set us straight! She's tested all the major headsets, and has some pointers for her fellow four-eyed gamers. As always, keep sending those questions in using the hashtag #DearVeronica! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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PC Gaming

PC Gaming By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: PC gaming on your couch!

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-209125{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-209125, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-209125{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-209125").style.display="none";}catch(e){} This week, my friend Roger Chang of Daily Tech New Show joins us to explain how to best take advantage of those amazing Steam sales -- right from the comfort of your couch! Personally, I'm more comfortable playing Stardew Valley at my desk, but to each their own. We also take some tips from the audience about creative ways to use Slack, the hottest of hot new communications tools, and I give you some ideas for replacing the now-defunct email client Mailbox. As always, keep sending those questions in using the hashtag #DearVeronica! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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Smartphones

Smartphones By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: iOS and Android battle for your love

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-207195{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-207195, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-207195{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-207195").style.display="none";}catch(e){} This week, we have some Real Talk about loving multiple operating systems, with Tom Merritt of Daily Tech News Show breaking it down for us. I also have share some feelings about hyperbole re: Comodo Firewall, and explain why we can never get stuff done when we're blasting Celine Dion. Maybe that's just me. As always, keep sending those questions in using the hashtag #DearVeronica! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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Smartphones

Smartphones By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Smartphone life expectancy

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-970240{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-970240, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-970240{width:100%;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-970240").style.display="none";}catch(e){} If we weren't all obsessed with getting the "Next Big Thing" all the time, how long would that smartphone of yours actually last? To help answer this question, we turn to Engadget Senior Mobile Editor, Nicole Lee! Also, do you love taking notes? Are you a hand-written person, or more comfortable typing? One of these makes you smarter, but you'll have to watch to figure out which one! As always, keep sending those questions in using the hashtag #DearVeronica! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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EVs and Transportation

EVs and Transportation By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Death by Hyperloop?

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-204723{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-204723, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-204723{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-204723").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Ah, the Hyperloop. Transportation of the future. But at what cost? On today's show, Daniel Cooper of Engadget joins us to explain how we will fly at speeds upwards of 750MPH and not be squished like a pancake. Read his Hyperloop story! In Apple stuff, we show off one viewer's smart use of an old iPad, and I share my feelings on the Apple / FBI case. Keep sending those questions in using the hashtag #DearVeronica! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: A dialog for doge

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-90783{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-90783, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-90783{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-90783").style.display="none";}catch(e){} At long last, the Internet has gifted me with another Dear Veronica question about dogs! I try to help out a couple dealing with a particularly mouthy doge... sorry, Shiba Inu. However, most of this advice will be applicable to any breed! Also on the show today, Conrad Muan helps answer a question about how coders check their work. With so many lines of code, there's gotta be a quicker way! Speaking of time, I also get into why alarm clocks use the nine-minute snooze. There's a real reason! Keep sending those questions in using the hashtag #DearVeronica! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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Science By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: How tech works around magnets!

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-411425{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-411425, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-411425{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-411425").style.display="none";}catch(e){} This week on the show, we look into how technology has shielded itself from the dangers of magnets. But we also look into a far more serious thread: chronic "likers" on social media. What does one do when things get a little awkward? To wrap things up, I sing a few tunes to Siri to find out if she'll work better than usual. I apologize in advance -- I'm much better at karaoke after a few cocktails, I swear!

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Entertainment

Entertainment By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Become a cosplay master!

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-238240{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-238240, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-238240{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-238240").style.display="none";}catch(e){} I start this episode with a little rant about some Apple rumors that have been circulating about: I'm pro-headphone jack, though many Apple fans out there seem to disagree with me. Insanity, I tell you! However, my friend Bill Doran lightens the mood a bit with some tips for making your own cosplay! In my opinion, he's one of the most creative guys out there in that world, and you can't have a better teacher. He even made me look cool! Finally, I give you a little tutorial for adding people on Snapchat. Specifically, I cover searching for people's names, but you can also add new friends by taking a photo of their Snapcode (the QR-code like image in your profile) or by using location to find people in your immediate area. I will shamelessly use this opportunity to link you to my account (open on mobile), in case you'd like to add me there! ;) Keep sending those questions in using the hashtag #DearVeronica! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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Gaming

Gaming By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: How many times should I buy Overwatch?

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-988498{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-988498, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-988498{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-988498").style.display="none";}catch(e){} I have someone with a bit of a cross-platform conundrum today: they want to play Overwatch, the new upcoming hotness from Blizzard, on both their PS4 and gaming PC. I bring on Scott Johnson of The Instance podcast to tell him the harsh truth. I also give a viewer some ideas on what to do with an ancient iPad, and go over the most appropriate email signatures for different situations. Keep those questions coming by using the hashtag #DearVeronica on Twitter! Also, subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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Wearables

Wearables By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Do you have a minute for beats?

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-977411{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-977411, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-977411{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-977411").style.display="none";}catch(e){} This week on the show, we get super music-nerdy with producer and composer Justin Lassen, coming to us from the floor at NAMM. He explains to us how music software figures out BPM (beat per minute) in songs and samples. Having worked with some incredible musicians (and creating some amazing works of his own) Justin knows and thing or two about the process! I also help a listener find his true passion for podcasting, and uncover the sordid history of the smiling poop emoji! Actually, that would be a great podcast right there... 💩

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Robotics

Robotics By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: All hail our robot chauffeur overlords!

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-412137{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-412137, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-412137{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-412137").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Welcome back to Dear Veronica! This week, I struggle with issues of control -- mainly, how ready am I to enter into the world of autonomous vehicles? It's a tricky subject, since we've still got some time before robots rule the roads, but worth thinking about! I also share some of my favorite tools for posting to social media, and we will all help Mohsin figure out which AAA shooter he wants to drop his money on. Help him decide in the poll below! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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AI

AI By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Virtual assistants for human people

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-587518{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-587518, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-587518{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-587518").style.display="none";}catch(e){} I like to pretend that I'm important enough to warrant a personal assistant, but the fact of the matter is that I'm just bad with procrastinating. However, there are some of you out there that could really benefit from a little extra help managing your appointments and emails, and so today we take a look at virtual assistants -- people who may not necessarily live near you, but can help clear some of the noise from your life. Maneesh Sethi, creator of Hacking The System and bad habit-breaking gadget Pavlok, joins me to give us some personal assistant best practices! Also, I cover some of the best (and funniest) things to name your WiFi network. Keep those questions rolling in to me via Twitter by using the hashtag #DearVeronica. See you next week! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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Science By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: The magic of electromagnetism!

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-362996{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-362996, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-362996{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-362996").style.display="none";}catch(e){} I'm at CES this week (are you watching our coverage?) but before we set up shop in Sin City, I picked out a few great questions from your guys about electromagnetism! Specifically, if an EMP can take down a drone, and if we humans are susceptible to electromagnetism in smaller doses. Devindra Hardawar has the intel on if we should be wearing our tin-foil coats 24-7 or not! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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News By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Resolution resolutions

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-330676{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-330676, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-330676{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-330676").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Did you think you could come to Engadget today and not get tech resolutions for the New Year? Think again, my friends! I asked, and you sent in your biggest and most optimistic plans around technology for 2016. Happy New Year!

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News By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: STEM gifts and holiday disasters

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-860048{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-860048, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-860048{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-860048").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Looking for that perfect gift for your sweet little munchkin this holiday season? We have some great ideas for the STEM-curious set out there!We also get suggestions for that perfect geeky getaway to San Francisco and Los Angeles from Morgan Webb and Broke-Ass Stuart Schuffman.Don't worry, we have a few more of your holiday tech support disasters. Have a safe and happy holiday, everyone!

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News By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Santa's little tech supporters

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-577584{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-577584, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-577584{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-577584").style.display="none";}catch(e){}You guys delivered when it came to tech support disasters over the holidays! Check out your worst stories, as well as those of the Engadget staff! You have so much more patience than I do, seriously.We also get a great response about how to get the best bass for your buck when it comes to earbuds! James Trew helps us out with his advice.And finally today, a little fun with my steps for determining whether or not the 5-second rule applies. Hey, you asked!

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By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Facebook follows and ghost girlfriends

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-744454{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-744454, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-744454{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-744454").style.display="none";}catch(e){}We kick off the show today with a great question about the creepiness factor of the Facebook "follow" button. Does it bother you when random strangers comment on your Facebook posts? Well, it shouldn't, and I'll tell you why.We also cover the best alternatives to TweetDeck, and how to deal with an unruly ghost girlfriend. You know the type. Send in your questions to #DearVeronica on Twitter, and please send me in some holiday tech support horror stories! I'll be reading them on the show for the rest of the month!Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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News By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: British baddies and fitness farces

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-931384{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-931384, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-931384{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-931384").style.display="none";}catch(e){}The holidays are in full swing, and I want to hear you worst holiday tech support stories! I'll be sharing them for the next few weeks, so make sure you send them in using the hashtag #DearVeronica on Twitter (as always).Have you ever noticed how all the best bad guys are British? Why is that? I mean, there's even a Jaguar commercial about it. To help figure out the answer, we welcome George Ruiz onto the show. He's an agent and manager down in Los Angeles, so he knows a thing or two about the business (and he hosts a Warhammer 40k podcast, so he's also an amazing nerd).And finally, we dig into the math of fitness trackers to help you sort out those holiday calories. Pass the leftover pie!

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News By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Aural assaults

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-432408{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-432408, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-432408{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-432408").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Oh boy, get ready for a rant. I've had it up to here (/gestures approximately three inches over my head) with bad listening habits. From middle-aged business men in the United lounge to teenagers at the mall, I'm about done with listening to your music / FaceTime calls / what have you. GET OFF MY SILENT AND PEACEFUL LAWN.Once I'm done table-flipping, we welcome Engadget editor Andrew Tarantola on to discuss the best Android apps for road tripping, and I throw in a few for you iOS fans. We also go over the best way to break bad news to someone, before social media gets to them first!Keep sending into those questions to #DearVeronica on Twitter, and I'll see you next week.Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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News By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Picking your penguin

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-288875{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-288875, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-288875{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-288875").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Welcome back to another episode of Dear Veronica! This week, we have some great responses from you guys from our most recent "Question to the Crowd" from Tiyana. Watch to see how you guys think we should handle cross-timezone texting! Viewer David also has a question about which Linux distro is the best in terms of privacy and usability, and to answer that one we have Engadget editor Terrence O'Brien on give us the details. To wrap everything up, we have a Lightning Round! Make sure you keep sending on in those questions to me via Twitter using the hashtag #DearVeronica, or send me in a video question! See you next time.

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News By Veronica Belmont

Dear Veronica: Self-promotion advice with John Scalzi!

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-503259{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-503259, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-503259{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-503259").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Happy Wednesday, everyone! We've got a few fantastic questions this week, starting with this question about self-promotion! #DearVeronica ,In this tech age, how should a novice novelist make an impression and promote his book to grab attention of a lot of people? — Rajat Joshi (@MrRajatJoshi) August 14, 2015 John Scalzi, author of some of my favorite books, is here to help Rajat out! In the meantime, I tackle some questions about my favorite audio ripping software, and the best way to clean a very "grody" Macbook Air screen. Keep those questions rolling on in to me by using the hashtag #DearVeronica on Twitter! See you next week.Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

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