They are saying an image is price a thousand phrases, however {a photograph} shot on a smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 cell platform is price at the least a billion. Due to Snapdragon Sight’s modern options, your smartphone is reworked right into a DSLR-quality digital camera. As a Artistic Director at Mashable, I lately had the possibility to strive it out for myself in a photographer’s dream location.

Let me again up for a sec. My greatest buddies and I’ve lived in New York Metropolis for over a decade. After a months-long search, they closed on probably the most picturesque property within the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. Now, I get to reap the rewards of their hard-earned buy, with out the duty of mowing the garden or paying the mortgage. We’ve pushed up there virtually each weekend — mountaineering, swimming, and residing our greatest summer season lives.

After our morning espresso, we stroll by way of the ferns and into the forest with our three canines. We geek out over clusters of vibrant orange mushrooms, crouch down to look at frogs, and marvel at squishy beds of moss. We’re metropolis folks, in spite of everything!

My private smartphone digital camera couldn’t seize the enchanting element, vibrancy, or unbelievable gentle that defines the forests of upstate New York. What I wanted was a pocket-sized telephone with an unbelievable digital camera. Enter the Xiaomi 12S Extremely, powered by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. I hit the street for the Catskills on a Friday afternoon to see what I might seize over the weekend.

Design

The digital camera on this telephone is huge, daring, and distinctive. It has a Leica skilled optical lens, which mimics the load and heft of taking pictures with an actual digital camera. But it surely’s the tiny chip inside the smartphone that’s chargeable for such superb picture capabilities. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 cell platform powers the digital camera with a 1-inch picture sensor — the most important ever in a smartphone to this point. Snapdragon Sight options an 18-bit Triple ISP that’s able to capturing photographs or movies from three cameras concurrently and 4,096x extra colour and light-weight knowledge in comparison with the 14-bit triple ISP within the earlier Snapdragon technology. Capturing such big quantities of information requires a lightning-fast processor that may sustain, and this child sprints.

Way of life match

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 cell platform is optimized for shut ups, portraits, nature pictures, evening pictures, you identify it. No matter catches your eye, you’ll be capable to show in your Instagram feed as richly as what you truly noticed. Even in the event you’re not knowledgeable photographer with information of aperture and shutter speeds, the preset taking pictures modes make your photographs look significantly legit. In case you are a professional, you’ll be able to shoot in 12-bit RAW after which have enjoyable taking part in with all the info captured, permitting you to make pixel-perfect edits.

Standout tech specs

The zoom capabilities on this digital camera are insane. 50 MP picture seize means you’ll be able to take large photographs and zoom in actually shut whereas staying extremely sharp. The 8K HDR video functionality captures 33MP per body in over a billion shades of colour. You may add and share on Google Photographs and YouTube in 8K HDR. Mess around with the premium HDR10+ format, too – it’s a premium HDR video capturing format used within the film trade.

Be looking out for the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 cell platform powering an array of smartphones, together with Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4, ASUS ROG 6 / 6 Professional, and OnePlus10T, with extra gadgets launching all through the remainder of the 12 months and subsequent 12 months. .  Be taught extra in regards to the superb capabilities that Snapdragon Sight  is bringing to cellphones and get your fingers on one ASAP — as a result of your subsequent weekend journey awaits!

The Merge, essentially the most anticipated crypto occasion of the yr, lastly has an official date: Sept. 6, together with an estimated time of seven:34 a.m. ET, in keeping with an replace on the official Ethereum Basis weblog.

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The announcement initiates a countdown to the long-anticipated transition within the Ethereum blockchain from the greenhouse-gas-spewing proof-of-work protocol, to comparatively greener proof-of-stake. At its inception this changeover referred to as for an enormous, formidable change in Ethereum’s computerized infrastructure — particularly the combining of the Ethereum Mainnet with the Beacon Chain, which permits for ETH transactions and Ethereum-based NFT verifications to occur through the brand new protocol. 

That theoretical large change is lastly turning into a actuality in, as of this writing, about 12 days and 19 hours. 

Whereas there are various points at play right here, the principle takeaway of The Merge is that one of many two main cryptocurrencies (the one which isn’t Bitcoin) will shed most of its well-earned repute for lol-nothing-matters eco-destruction, as will most NFTs. It’s because the brand new proof-of-stake mannequin, not like proof-of-work, doesn’t contain highly effective GPUs endlessly performing hellacious mathematical computations by sucking down mass portions of soiled grid power. Simply what does proof of stake contain? It’s sophisticated, however you may learn extra about it right here.

The occasion on Sept. 6 is definitely simply the beginning of the operation, which begins with an improve referred to as “Bellatrix” occurring on the brand new blockchain, after which, necessary Merge-related actions (an operation often known as The Kiln testnet) will stop. A second replace, referred to as Paris, will happen just a few days later, someday between Sept. 10 and Sept. 20. 

Then, if all goes in keeping with plan, most individuals utilizing the Ethereum blockchain will likely be routinely utilizing the brand new system with out having to alter something.

And the Ethereum Basis actually needs all the pieces to go in keeping with plan. Those that can discover merge-related bugs are being provided 4 instances the same old quantity in “bug bounties” in keeping with the weblog publish, which means “essential” vulnerabilities can earn eagle-eyed coders as much as $1 million.

If I needed to guess, I’d guess you’re not an astronaut.

However I’d nonetheless wager that NASA performs a giant position in your life.

You see, since 1976, the U.S. area company NASA has been chargeable for greater than 2,000 improvements, a lot of which you and your loved ones in all probability use day-after-day. For instance:

• Do you are taking footage together with your smartphone? Cell phone cameras use a tiny sensor that was perfected at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory within the 1990s.
• Wish to hold your kitchen crumb-free? Handheld vacuums like Dustbusters are based mostly on a NASA-designed drill made to take samples of the Moon’s floor.
• And it’s an identical story for memory-foam mattresses, child formulation, invisible braces, scratch-resistant lenses, and cardiac pumps. All of them owe their existence to NASA.

However these improvements haven’t simply develop into a part of our lives. They’ve additionally develop into terribly priceless. For instance, the marketplace for memory-foam mattresses is value about $eight billion. And cordless vacuums just like the Dustbuster have created a $20 billion market.

And now we’ve discovered the subsequent know-how that’s poised to make the leap from NASA to on a regular basis life…

And at the moment, I’ll present how one can spend money on it whereas it’s nonetheless on the bottom flooring.

Reinventing the Tire

This story will get began with a recurring drawback NASA was having:

The automobiles it was utilizing to discover Mars and the Moon saved breaking down. The issue was their tires. They couldn’t deal with the tough terrain.

So NASA spent years creating a new type of tire. And with a know-how known as shape-memory alloy, it lastly hit paydirt.

This know-how permits a tire to vary form because it encounters uneven terrain and obstacles — after which, magically, it reverts to its unique kind.

This super-elastic tire is made out of a cutting-edge materials — a shape-memory alloy known as Nickel Titanium, or NiTinol for brief. Using NiTinol produces a tire that’s elastic like rubber, but sturdy like titanium.

Form-memory alloys are able to present process what’s known as section transitions on the molecular degree. Which means they will expertise strains which are an order of magnitude larger than abnormal supplies earlier than present process everlasting deformation.

This tire is ready to play a starring position in the way forward for area exploration. Nevertheless it additionally has huge potential right here on Earth, the place the $300 billion tire business is ripe for disruption.

And that’s the place a brand new startup known as SMART Tire comes into the image…

Introducing: SMART Tire

To commercialize its breakthrough know-how, NASA not too long ago partnered with a startup known as SMART Tire.

Basically, SMART Tire is adapting NASA’s tires for roads on Earth — for navy automobiles, for all sorts of vehicles and planes, and for bikes and vehicles.

SMART Tires are totally airless, to allow them to modify their form to traverse rocks, craters, or something of their path. The result’s a tire that’s elastic like rubber, sturdy like titanium, and because it’s 100% airless, not solely is it safer than conventional tires, nevertheless it additionally requires far much less upkeep.

SMART has already examined prototypes, like this one:

The corporate plans to start out promoting its merchandise shortly. However earlier than it will get there, it wants further capital — which is why it’s turning to traders such as you.

Do you have to discover an funding?

Let’s have a look.

The Professionals and Cons of an Funding 

On the “professional” aspect:

Main Companions — SMART has already attracted main companions together with NASA, Spin Mobility (a division of Ford Motor Firm), and Felt Bicycles, a frontrunner in high-performance bicycles. Such companions can bestow credibility on SMART, and might help it acquire traction.

Large Market — Between tires for bicycles, bikes, vehicles, and vehicles, it is a $300 billion market.

Press — The corporate and its product have acquired glowing opinions from media shops together with Automobile and Driver, Enterprise Insider, and Newsweek. Try these quotes:

However on the “con” aspect…

The $50 million valuation for this spherical is greater than we’d choose. At that degree, we’d want a $500 million exit to earn 1,000% income — our goal for any non-public funding.

This con helps clarify why I’m not recommending you run out and blindly spend money on SMART Tire. This can be a dangerous enterprise. It requires substantial analysis to grasp how issues may play out, and what its true return profile may appear to be.

However for those who imagine the time has come to reinvent the tire — and that NASA could be onto one thing massive — this startup could be value a glance.

You possibly can be taught extra right here »

Comfortable Investing.

Please be aware: Crowdability has no relationship with any of the startups we write about. We’re an impartial supplier of training and analysis on startups and various investments.

Greatest Regards,

Matthew Milner
Founder
Crowdability.com

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Hello, my identify is Cecily, and I am a jaded millennial who feels pushed out of her consolation zone by Samsung‘s newest influencer-friendly folding telephone, the Z Flip 4.

As an “previous” particular person whose first cell phone experiences included painstaking T9 textual content entry, ringback tones, and heaps of snake, I largely simply care a few telephone that is speedy and dependable. However that is each smartphone now, even the funds ones: You get highly effective chips, tons of storage, state-of-the-art cameras, and high-res shows. So all that is left to innovate on are… aesthetics?

From the appears to be like of the Z Flip 4 (and its BTS-focused advertising), that appears to be the case. In contrast to the Z Fold 4 which goals to exchange the pill as a 2-in-1 foldable (and does it effectively!), the Z Flip 4, with its clamshell design harking back to early cellphones, offers an answer to an issue that does not exist. It is innovation by means of nostalgia. And it is cute.

I had numerous enjoyable with the Z Flip Four and I loved enjoying round with capturing and enhancing options, tailored for Gen Z creators, that make posting content material to social media considerably simpler. However with a $999 price ticket, all of it comes down as to if its novelty and flashy colorways attraction to your aesthetic. 

First, here is what you are getting:

• 6.7-inch dynamic AMOLED with 120Hz refresh price; 1.9-inch Tremendous AMOLED cowl show

• Twin-lens 12-megapixel essential and 12-megapixel ultra-wide rear cameras; 10-megapixel selfie digital camera

• 3,700mAh battery with wi-fi charging

• 8GB RAM on all fashions

• 128, 256, 512GB inside storage

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor

Nostalgia is a helluva drug

Collect ‘spherical kids for a story from ye olden days. It was the early 2000s and Paris Hilton was on high of the world in addition to the quilt the US Weekly nearly each week. Completely in her grasp was the cellphone du jour. Typically, it was a sizzling pink Motorola Razr. Different instances, it was a bedazzled LG 8700 Shine. There was even a nifty machine referred to as the T-Cellular Sidekick, which had you flip your telephone horizontally to sort. The message was clear: Telephones had been the brand new standing image. 

And that appears to be the case once more. With the current resurgence of Y2K tendencies, Samsung now has Gen Z, who’re obsessive about this era and the millennials who lived by way of it the primary time, within the palm of its hand. As Mashable tradition editor Crystal Bell famous: “There is a purpose Samsung unveiled the machine with a particular music video starring worldwide superstars BTS.”

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There are some tendencies from the early 2000s — e.g., low-rise denims, chunky highlights, a lot ruching — I would care to not relive. However bringing again colourful flip telephones is sort of pleasant. The Z Flip Four mannequin I examined is outfitted in a playful pastel shade referred to as bora purple, however the machine additionally is available in graphite, pink, gold, and blue. Purple is not actually my shade of alternative, but it surely instantly jogged my memory of the times when Hilton would coordinate her telephone together with her outfit. That is not likely my model, however I respect the dedication to a lewk, so I get the attraction.

The Z Flip 4’s 6.7-inch internal AMOLED folding show, which is identical measurement because the iPhone 13 Professional Max, is not something new — that is now Samsung’s fourth iteration of the Flip. However due to a wider array of helpful cowl show widgets and options plus the power to do extra with the twin display screen kind issue, switching over to the compact Z Flip Four is now a way more compelling alternative.

Once I first acquired the telephone, one of many first issues I did was attempt to snap it shut with one hand. I craved the joys of dramatically ending a name like all of us did within the flip telephone days. However, sadly, the Z Flip Four would not actually enable for that. As a result of its measurement, the Z Flip Four is difficult to shut with one hand. It is not not possible, however it’s a must to sort of bear-claw it on the perimeters to snap it shut.

Hey, Samsung, some unsolicited recommendation: If you are going to lean into the nostalgic flip telephone design, possibly make the Z Flip Four even smaller and extra compact.

You may hold it closed

That being mentioned, a smaller Z Flip Four would in all probability hinder a number of the cowl display screen options, that are amongst my favourite elements of the telephone. The quilt display screen has at all times been a key promoting level of the Flip, however earlier fashions hadn’t fairly perfected it. 

Now, with an choice use the quilt display screen digital camera with true facet ratio and a brand new portrait mode function, it is really a sensible method to shoot photographs and video. It nonetheless has the identical 12-megapixel broad and 12-megapixel ultra-wide rear cameras (in addition to the identical 10-megapixel front-facing digital camera) because the Flip 3. However a greater pixel sensor and enhanced stabilization makes photographs and movies look smoother and crisper. 

The Flip Four additionally has enhanced widget options, particularly, the power to entry and reply to messages straight from the quilt display screen utilizing fast recommended replies (which might embody voice messages and emoji.) This may even make some folks examine their telephone much less, by diminishing the necessity to choose up and unfold the telephone. Sometimes, I’ve to place my iPhone face right down to keep away from distracting notifications, however the Z Flip 4’s cowl display screen is sufficiently subtle that I did not get sucked into checking infinite alerts whereas working or grabbing dinner with associates. If it was an necessary message, I might shoot off a fast reply in just a few swipes with out even opening my telephone. 

Missed TikTok opp

With a heavier give attention to Reels and extra video content material, it is no secret Meta is desperately attempting to be extra like TikTok. And to additional that pivot, Instagram head Adam Mosseri made a visitor look at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked earlier this month to announce the app’s compatibility with the Flip 4’s FlexCam, aka hands-free picture and video seize, and Flex Mode, or dual-screen multitasking.

When both Fb or Instagram are open on the machine, folding the telephone to a 90-degree angle will activate hands-free recording for Tales or Reels. You can too make hands-free video calls with WhatsApp and Messenger, too.

Much like FlexCam, Flex Mode is one other dual-screen function that permits you to use the underside half of the display screen as a touchpad. Basically, this mode turns the Z Flip Four right into a mini-laptop. Flex Mode was already accessible on the Z Flip 3, however the native UX has been improved thanks to raised integration with third-party apps like YouTube and Google Meet, and enhanced touchpad settings. 

FlexCam and Flex Mode are actually revolutionary options that take advantage of the Z Flip 4’s foldable design, but it surely seems like a missed alternative to seize its full potential. For the reason that Z Flip Four is marketed as the final word influencer smartphone, Samsung ought to have pursued a local integration partnership with the present content material king, TikTok, somewhat than the flailing Fb/Instagram. 

Plus, Flex Mode is not totally optimized for TikTok or different apps like Hulu. And it would not even work with Netflix. What’s extra, TikTok is gradual to launch when accessed by way of Flex Mode and all of its icons seem bunched up on the highest display screen, with a few of them so near the crease that it is awkward to maneuver. Among the icons even overlap on the correct facet. In contrast, after I tried Flex Mode with Instagram, the function switched on nearly instantaneously and made excellent use of the accessible display screen area.

Generally, the Z Flip 4’s dual-screen options work effectively in a pinch in the event you’re a jet-setting influencer who would not have time to edit content material on a laptop computer, but it surely feels a bit of cramped. Nevertheless, in the event you’re available in the market for a real multitasking powerhouse, you are higher off with Samsung’s Z Fold 4, which Mashable’s Alex Perry raved about. 

Like trying in a mirror

Lately, tech corporations have been pushing the concept smartphones are an extension of our our bodies and ought to be personalized as such. We put on jewellery and paint our nails, so why should not our telephones mirror our model and style, too? The newest Pixel 6 line doubled down on this final fall with its eye-catching machine colours and UI palettes to match your wallpaper. Even Apple jumped on the bandwagon this previous spring by saying a customizable lock display screen with iOS 16. 

However Samsung takes the cake for its freedom of expression strategy. With the Z Flip 4, you’ll be able to customise nearly all the things. From the machine’s 4 completely different colorways to customizing your cowl display screen with completely different clock designs, photographs, movies, GIFs, and even your personal AR emoji, Samsung desires to ensure you’re bringing your complete self to your telephone.

There’s even a bespoke program the place customers can customise the Flip 4’s design much more. For an extra $40 you’ll be able to change the Z Flip 4’s body to silver, black, or gold and the physique to yellow, white, navy, khaki, or pink. However, as somebody who struggles with primary selections like what to eat for lunch, this is just too many selections for me.

Do not get me unsuitable, I totally help expressing oneself. However I am undoubtedly questioning if Samsung ought to’ve spent rather less time on the Z Flip 4’s shade customization and a bit of extra time enhancing on the necessities like paring down the crease and enhancing the battery life. In any other case, it simply feels smoke and mirrors.

Concerning the crease and the battery life

To be honest, the crease has gotten a lot better. In comparison with earlier variations of the Z Flip, it is extra refined and fewer noticeable. But it surely’s nonetheless there. It would not trouble me a lot when viewing content material, however I discover it each time scroll and it sends shivers down my backbone, like when one thing brushes up in opposition to your leg within the ocean.

The Z Flip 4’s battery life has additionally gotten higher since earlier variations, however there’s undoubtedly room for enchancment. After two hours of downloading after which shopping Slack, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, I observed the three,700mAh battery had already dwindled from a full cost to 67 p.c. As for a typical full day of utilization, I would usually be left with a few 20 p.c cost at evening. So I used to be finally shocked by its longevity. It is a smaller telephone than the Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely and the iPhone 13 Professional Max, which reportedly final for 16 hours and 18 hours, respectively, so it is sensible. That being mentioned, a battery life that spars with the heavyweights would make the Z Flip Four unstoppable.

The underside line 

General, the Samsung Z Flip Four seems like essentially the most compelling compact foldable but. For $999, the worth is identical because the iPhone 13 Professional and provides comparable specs (aside from the shorter battery life.) It is also a cut price in comparison with its foldable sibling, the Z Fold 4, which begins at $1,799 and arguably provides far more.

The Z Flip 4’s hands-free tech, helpful cowl show, multitasking options, and customizable all the things are enjoyable and thrilling to discover, however they’re extra of a bonus than a necessity for my humble “geriatric” millennial way of life. Nevertheless that is not a ding in opposition to the Flip 4. Simply because these options do not vastly entice me, it does not imply they woo over numerous different folks. Do not imagine me? Simply ask the 70mm robust BTS Military.

Journey is an effective way to discover new meals, attempt new experiences — and meet new folks. The native courting pool can begin to really feel shallow as soon as you have accomplished a number of laps, so trying out the native expertise whereas touring could be thrilling. Relationship apps similar to Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge even make this simpler, letting you scour your vacation vacation spot for potential matches.

In fact, it is nonetheless essential to be cautious and take security measures whereas on-line courting, no matter the place on the planet you might be. You must also be accountable and point out whether or not you are searching for one-night stands, a short-term fling, or are keen to spend money on a protracted distance romance when you fly again house. Carelessly leaving a path of damaged hearts throughout Europe could appear romantic, nevertheless it is not as glamorous because it sounds.

However in case you’re cautious and open about your intentions, utilizing courting apps whereas travelling generally is a enjoyable approach to meet new folks. As an additional journey hack, they’re going to in all probability know a ton of excellent native locations to take a look at that are not within the vacationer brochures.

Here is how you can change your location in your courting apps, together with Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge.

How change your Tinder location

Tinder routinely detects your location to be able to present you potential companions who have been shut by. As such, you should not need to fiddle with any settings whereas travelling, although you may faucet Settings and scroll to Discovery to regulate Tinder’s search radius.

Alternatively, in case you’re the kind of traveller that likes to organise potential hookups earlier than you even arrive, you are able to do that by getting a paid Tinder subscription. Paying subscribers to Tinder get entry to the app’s Passport characteristic, which permits them to look totally different places for matches with out truly having to be there. 

As soon as subscribed to Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, or Tinder Platinum, this is how you can change your location:

1. Open Tinder.

2. Faucet your profile icon within the high left nook.

3. Faucet “Settings.”

4. Scroll all the way down to Discovery Settings and faucet “Location.”

5. Faucet “Add a brand new location” and enter your vacation spot.

(And in case you do not want this characteristic when you’re again house, this is how you can cancel Tinder Gold.)

Learn how to change your Bumble location

Like Tinder, Bumble makes use of your telephone’s GPS to find out the place you might be, and thus your native courting choices. The app additionally locks its Journey mode characteristic behind a subscription, that means you may need to pay for Bumble Premium to be able to change your location and match with folks in different international locations.

When you’ve got a subscription to Bumble Premium, this is how one can change your location:

1. Open Bumble.

2. Faucet your profile icon within the backside left nook.

3. Faucet the Settings cog icon within the high proper nook.

4. Scroll all the way down to Location and faucet “Journey to…”

5. Seek for your vacation spot and choose it.

Learn how to change your Hinge location

In contrast to Tinder and Bumble, Hinge allows you to change your location with no paid subscription, as a result of love is free and is aware of no borders. Hinge additionally does not monitor your location, which is a plus for privateness however could also be a minor irritation for flirty singles on the transfer.

Thankfully, altering your location on Hinge is not difficult.

1. Open Hinge.

2. Faucet your profile icon within the backside proper nook.

3. Faucet “Relationship Preferences.”

4. Below Fundamental Preferences, faucet “My neighbourhood.”

5. Reposition the map till the cursor is over your vacation spot.

Hinge does not provide any indication to your potential paramours that you just aren’t truly native to the realm, so you may need to set these expectations your self. Additionally keep in mind to modify your location again when you arrive again house. That’s, in case you did not meet somebody who impressed you to delete Hinge altogether.

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If you wish to go all in, you possibly can additionally attempt downloading courting apps which might be extra common to locals at your vacation spot. For instance, Lovoo is a well-liked courting app in Germany, whereas singles in South Korea use Amanda. Simply remember the fact that you might want to beat a language barrier with any potential companions.

Final month, Meta instructed us we would quickly have to make a Meta account to make use of its Quest digital actuality headsets and, of us, the day is right here.

This morning, in an e mail you will have scrolled proper previous (like I did), Meta reminded us that new Quest customers will want to create a Meta account, beginning right this moment. Present customers can stick to their present setup till Jan. 1, 2023, after which they’re going to be required to open a Meta account, too.

Beforehand, customers have been required to have or create a Fb account to make use of the headsets. Now, you may use your e mail tackle or Fb account (Instagram can be an choice for first-time customers) to create a separate Meta account.

Any current apps, achievements, and pals will likely be mechanically migrated to this new account, however pals will likely be re-dubbed “Meta Horizon followers.” Information out of your Oculus profile will likely be migrated to a brand new Meta Horizon profile, which Meta describes as “your social profile in VR and different surfaces like the net.”

To make sure account migration goes as easily as attainable, Meta suggests you replace your Quest headset to the most recent software program (R.I.P. my mods) or else you could have to do a manufacturing unit reset.

The corporate posted a brief overview of the adjustments within the video at this hyperlink. To get began on the replace, you may go to the Meta web site at this hyperlink or open the Oculus cellular app.