I normally don’t nap. But when I put the “Sensate 2” on my chest bone, I conk out within minutes.

The Sensate 2, which was sent to me for review, looks something like a polished stone, although it’s plastic. Place it on your sternum and feel its vibrations. It quietly buzzes, gently knocks or deeply hums, according to the intensity you choose and the type of session you select. There are 14 free ones. If you want the whole library of sounds, it’s $50 a year. I’m addicted to the free “Forest” with its pan pipes, birds and babbling brooks, which comes through on your phone in the Sensate app. It lasts 20 minutes. The device itself is $299.

Many reviewers on Amazon praise its effect on insomnia or panic attacks. One said that his wife has “gotten more anxiety relief from her Sensate than any medication she has ever taken. And that’s a lot of meds. She sleeps through the night for the first time in years.” He wanted to try it himself but can’t get it off her neck.

The Sensate “conditions the relaxation response of the vagus nerve, the brain-gut regulator of the nervous system,” according to the company.  Looking up “vagus nerve,” I found out that an implantable vagus nerve stimulator has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat depression and epilepsy. I also read that humming and singing also stimulates the vagus nerve. On YouTube, look up “vagus nerve exercises” to get stretching videos.

Send to Kindle

I used to email PDFs, ePubs and other documents to my Kindle address, in order to read them in the Kindle app in my phone or tablet. But I could never remember the address. Now I use the  “Send to Kindle” feature.

Google the phrase “Amazon Send to Kindle” on your computer to go right to the page, then upload your documents. I find it particularly handy for online cookbooks. For example, minimalistbaker.com will send you a free 49 page cookbook full of favorites.

Reading Mode

“Reading Mode” is a free app for Android phones that makes reading easier. When you find something, say in Google News, tap the reading bubble that floats above the website. The ads will disappear and you’ll see white text on a black background. To install it, tap the Google Play store and search on “Reading Mode.”

On an iPhone, open the Safari web browser, tap the “aA” icon just to the left of the search bar and choose “Show Reader.” There’s also a reading mode icon in Firefox, for use on iPhone, Android, tablet or computer.

Foldable Phones Aren’t All They’re Cracked Up to Be

Foldable phones get rave reviews all over the web, but they all leave out one thing: You drop it, you crack it.

A reader alerted me to 524 comments in an article in the Washington Post, many of which mention that. Here are some samples.

“Don’t do it!” said one user. “I did it, twice, like a fool. The screens do not last. First time the screen protector delaminated. Second a slight bump, a fumble from my pants pocket, a drop of less than three feet with a case on and it landed on the crease and created the slightest dimple and the screen was toast. Price to repair was the price of the phone. Not under warranty due to ‘physical damage.’”

Another said: “They have that ugly fold line in the middle of the screen that gets worse with wear. Also, if the app you’re using isn’t tested for your fold? It doesn’t take advantage of the extra real estate.”

And finally: “The logic here is to pay double for a phone with a weak battery and bad camera that folds in half.”

On the plus side, they offer a bigger screen for movies, games and books and allow you to use two apps side by side. But the avalanche of negative comments makes one pause.

Increase Your iPhone’s Battery Life

Here are some great suggestions from HowtoGeek on how to extend your iPhone’s battery life.

First, disable fitness tracking on your iPhone. It won’t interfere with your Apple Watch or fitness device since these have their own trackers. To disable it on the phone, go to “Settings,” then “Privacy,” then “Motion & Fitness,” and finally “Fitness Tracking.” Turn the switch off.

Second, turn off tactile feedback. Tap “Settings,” then “Sounds,” then toggle the switches to off for “Keyboard Clicks” and “Lock Sound,” if you don’t need to hear anything while you type on the keyboard or lock your phone.

Third, avoid using your phone when it’s plugged in. That will cause it to heat up, which could damage the battery.

Fourth, limit notifications, which drain your battery a bit every time they pop up. Go to “Settings,” then “Notifications.” Now tap each one you don’t need and toggle its switch to “off.” I just turned off 31 of them.

Internuts

– “Meet the Small Origami Robot with the Potential for Big Things.” Search on that phrase to see a brief video about a robot that can fold itself, unfold, walk and steer using just one motor. It’s cute. Checkout their “TruckBot” video to see a warehouse robot that unloads a thousand cases a minute.

– “Scientists strengthen concrete by 30 percent with used coffee grounds.” Google that phrase to learn how coffee grounds are serving as a silica substitute.

 

 

 

Filed under: Amazon, batteries, health, Internuts, phones