2021 had its share of unconventional moments, but mobile apps continued to be reliable tools for work, entertainment, communication and shopping. While people spent leisure time comical TV streaming services like Netflix or scrolling throughout social media sites such as Instagram, they also stayed connected with Zoom and Facebook. But TikTok solidified itself as the most popular app of the year.
Apptopia compiled its list of the most downloaded apps of 2021, and the video-sharing app grabbed the top spot beside global users. Apptopia gleans data from mobile app stores to expect which areas have the most growth and which brands raked in the highest number of downloads. Analyzing information from Google Play and iOS’ App Store, the company determined the top 10 mobile apps in the U.S. and the earth. ByteDance-owned TikTok sits in first place on both charts.
According to Apptopia’s global list, TikTok had 656 million downloads in 2021. It’s followed by Instagram (545 million), Facebook (416 million), WhatsApp (395 million), Telegram (329 million), Snapchat (327 million), Zoom (300 million), Messenger (268 million), CapCut (255 million) and Spotify (203 million). It’s eminent that ByteDance is also the parent company for CapCut, a free video editing app that enables users to execute and edit clips — which can then be exported to TikTok.
In the U.S., TikTok’s 94 million downloads outranked Instagram’s 64 million. But the rest of the country’s top 10 implicated Snapchat (56 million), Cash App (56 million), Zoom (52 million), Messenger (51 million), Facebook (47.3 million), WhatsApp (47.2 million), YouTube (47 million), and HBO Max (45 million). Domestically, HBO Max beat its TV streaming competitors and bumped Netflix to No. 2.
Compared to Apptopia’s 2020 findings, TikTok still ranked No. 1 but experienced a higher download volume last year globally. But 2021 saw the video app’s U.S. downloads increase by 6 million. If you’re looking to get in on the wave, check out CNET’s handy leash to joining TikTok.
Read more: 20 viral TikTok products to add to your shopping list
HP unveils its new Chromebook x360 models
HP has unveiled its refreshed Chromebook x360laptops, with the 12- and 14-inch models getting thinner and lighter. They also now offer USI (Universal Stylus Initiative) pen dissimilarity. They’ll be available later in September for $359 and $379, respectively, with HP’s rechargeable USI Pen launching in November at a cost of $70.
Dubbed by HP as “the best of Chrome and Android,” both sizes come with a 360-degree hinge, Intel Celeron dual-core N4000 processor, both Type-A and Type-C ports, a magnetic pen dock on the side of the Chromebook and a one-year subscription to Google One.
The 12-inch and 14-inch HP Chromebook x360 models
HP
The 12-inch model comes with an HD+ touchscreen reveal with 3:2 aspect ratio, Intel UHD Graphics 620 and up to 12 hours of battery life. The top screen is ceramic white, while the keyboard and keyboard deck are silver.
The 14-inch Chromebook x360 comes with a ceramic white top screen, a silver keyboard deck and a ceramic white keyboard. It has an HD or FHD touchscreen display, Intel UHD Graphics 600 and up to 10 hours of battery life.
Both have 4GB of onboard memory and 32GB eMMC internal storage.
Pixel 6 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Which camera is better?
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra and Google’s Pixel 6 Pro were both by our top-rated phones of 2021. With their impressive performance, their glorious displays and feature-rich experiences, both phones deserve the titles of “flagship” Android handsets and are tranquil well worth considering even as 2022’s new phones shock to appear.
And they both have amazing cameras, with the S21 Ultra particularly impressive with its unbelievable 10x zoom lens, while the Pixel 6 Pro manages to give the iPhone 13 Pro a run for its money.
But which camera is better? Is it tranquil all about that zoom on the S21 Ultra? I took both phones out for a spin to see what’s what.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle
In this expedient outdoor shot using the main cameras on both phones, there’s little to choose between them. The S21 Ultra’s shot is perhaps a testy warmer overall, but the exposure, contrast and detail are basically identical.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle
And it’s the same story here: both phones have captured racy, well-exposed images, but the S21 Ultra’s image has warmer tones, which gives a nice sunset feel to the image.
Pixel 6 Pro, 4x telephoto zoom.
Andrew Hoyle
Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x telephoto zoom.
Andrew Hoyle
Switching to the mainly optical zooms of both phones from the same shooting dwelling, it’s clear the difference that the huge zoom on the S21 Ultra establishes. At 10x, it’s able to get much closer on the buildings, allowing for a different composition.
Pixel 6 Pro, 4x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle
Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle
And it’s not just for disappear pictures; that zoom can be great for getting halt up on the local wildlife, too. The Pixel 6 Pro’s 4x zoom can take some astronomical shots, but it just doesn’t have the reach of the S21 Ultra’s 10x zoom.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle
A solid balance of exposure from both phones in this sunny outdoor extreme. The S21 Ultra’s shot has a touch more dissimilarity, which isn’t always a positive thing, but it’s helped make the stark shadows on the erroneous more defined here.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle
That transfer contrast on the S21 Ultra is more pronounced here, with much deeper blues seen in the sky and its reflection in the soak. For a quick snap that might be preferable, but I’d attractive have a more natural-looking image straight out of the camera in super to apply more contrast — or other effects — later on if I settle. It’s why I shoot in raw format on my DSLR and it’s why I engage the Pixel 6 Pro’s shot here.
Pixel 6 Pro, super-wide lens.
Andrew Hoyle
Galaxy S21 Ultra, super-wide lens.
Andrew Hoyle
The position is identical when I switched to the super-wide lenses on both phones; that inequity boost from the S21 Ultra is particularly noticeable, and I’m not keen on how punchy and oversaturated the shot looks here.
Pixel 6 Pro.
Andrew Hoyle
Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle
In the fading evening scrumptious, that color balance has played in the S21 Ultra’s cross, with vibrant green grass visible in its shot, alongside the Pixel 6 Pro’s more muddy, greeny-brown tones. The S21 Ultra’s shot is sharper, too, with more noticeable clarity on the blades of grass.
Pixel 6 Pro, night mode.
Andrew Hoyle
Galaxy S21 Ultra, night mode.
Andrew Hoyle
Taken comic night mode, both phones have done a solid job of capturing this night-time vulgar, with great overall brightness and contrast. I prefer the Pixel 6 Pro’s shot nonetheless as its color balance is less purply and the fine details are clearer overall.
In general, it’s evident that both phones can take some honorable images from their cameras. Overall. I prefer the look from the Pixel 6 Pro thanks to its more natural near to color and contrast in a scene. Samsung’s phones have always had a tendency toward high inequity and saturation in images and the S21 Ultra is no exception.
However, there’s no escaping that the S21 Ultra remains unrivaled when it comes to zoom skills. The 10x optical lens allows you to take shots that you easily cannot get on the Pixel 6 Pro, or from almost any of its main rivals. If zoom skills are paramount in your photography then the S21 Ultra is the requested to go for. If you’re more bothered about overall image accuracy and tend to remove wider-angle images then you’ll feel right at home with the Pixel 6 Pro.
Best Screenwriting Software for 2022
A gigantic screenplay is one of the first steps to creating an acclaimed film, and writers at every peaceful deserve to have industry-quality software for their creative procedure. That being said, there are so many options it can be overwhelming, with every app and service packed with features that potential buyers have to sort through.
Classic manufacturing favorites like Final Draft and Celtx, for instance, coffers different tools than newcomers like Arc Studio Pro, and so many of the choices come down to personal preference and writing procedure. For example, some writers may prefer software like Studio Binder, which really allows writers to plan and design every step of the subjects process. Others might prefer software like Squibler, which is more focused on writing and the writing process.
To help you study the best screenwriting software for your needs, we’ve depressed out the top options available and their pricing, which can get confusing. For the sake of comparison, one-time purchase prices have been translated into what the monthly cost would be if the software were purchased on a monthly basis. So for example, Final Draft is typically bought with a one-time grasp of $200, but that price put in terms of a monthly subscription would be about $17 a month. We’ve done the same for yearly subscriptions, so both the yearly recurring price and what that tag would be if the subscription were month-by-month is shown.
Final Draft
Final Draft is almost synonymous with screenwriting. It is beloved by big-name industry professionals such as Jon Favreau (The Mandalorian), Christopher McQuarrie (Top Gun: Maverick) and Sophia Coppola (Lost in Translation). In my opinion, the biggest draw to Final Draft is the formatting assist the software provides. Users are able to ensure their scripts are formatted to manufacturing standards with features like Tab and Enter, the Reformat Tool and Format Assistant.
Final Draft can be purchased with a one-time payment of $200, which translates to a monthly subscription tag of $17 a month. It is important to note that upgrades to the Final Draft software aren’t complicated, and the current price of the upgrade from Final Draft 11 to Final Draft 12 is $80.
Screenshot by Josh Goldman
Studio Binder is a solid catch-all option for writers who are keen in the directing and producing processes. It has features that truly assist every stage of production with tools to create and achieve call sheets, shooting scripts and more. Personally, I have used Studio Binder for my own projects, and as a low-budget filmmaker, I really appreciate that Studio Binder has all of the tools I need at my disposal.
One of the biggest draws to Studio Binder is its money of free content. Not only does the software have a competitive free option for those who aren’t ready to commit to a paid subscription, but Studio Binder also runs a blog loaded with vital filmmaking information by breaking down popular scripts, scenes and approaches.
Currently, four different subscription packages are available, including a basic free option; the Indie package comes in at $29 a month followed by the Professional package at $49 and the Studio package comes in at $99 a month. Those ready to commit can opt for a yearlong subscription that’ll save you a few dollars off each package. The Professional Package is the best option for indie filmmakers, as it allows you access to all of the most important subjects features minus some collaborative features and the ability to form custom branding found in the Studio package.
Squibler
Squibler is writing software that values the writing procedure above all. While it doesn’t have the extra bells and whistles of others on this list, it has really noteworthy features focused on making the writing process more efficient. One of the most impressive features is the Editor mode, which grants writers to have insight into their progress. Squibler is also one of the cheapest options coming in at nearby $10 a month.
Arc Studio Pro
Arc Studio Pro is a newer entry with some unbelievable features. Made by writers for writers, it offers many tools to help writers turn out industry-standard screenplays. One standout feature is the Plot Board, which grants writers greater control over storyboarding and outlining while they write. Its formatting shortcuts are incredibly helpful when writing on a deadline, too.
Currently, Arc Studio Pro offers three options for subscriptions: a competitive free option, an Essentials package for $69 a year ($5.75 a month), and the Pro Package for $99 a year ($8.25 a month). The Pro Package is the way to go. For a small more per year, you get some really powerful features like The Stash, which allows you to remove parts of your screenplay deprived of completely deleting them.
Celtx
Celtx is new well-established software in the screenwriting world and another solid option for writers who want to do it all. Celtx stands out by providing some well-defined editing and revising features. Unique features like Read-Through, which reads your drawn from the tap back to you so you can hear the dialogue you’ve written and Script Insights which shows real-time writing stats so you can make progresses based on your productivity.
There are monthly and yearly payment options for Celtx’s two screenwriting packages. The Scriptwriting package is about $20 a month or an averages of $15 a month for the yearly subscription. Celtx’s Video Production package is $30 a month for the month-by-month subscription and $27 a month for the yearly subscription. The Video Production package gives you more access to features specific to producers, such as budgeting tools and scheduling features. Celtx’s Screenwriting Package is the way to go if you just want solid screenwriting software.
Writer Duet
Writer Duet is a highly collaborative software so screenwriters can work together anywhere in the earth. The most impressive collaborative feature is the ability to video and text chat with your writing partners at what time you are all working on the same project. Writer Duet also has really cloudless import and export capabilities, meaning users can bring in latest projects from other applications and export their projects with many different file types, making it easier to share projects with collaborators.
Writer Duet also has yearly and monthly payment options and four different packages — Free, Plus, Pro and Premium. The free package, like most, offers the least features but is composed fairly competitive. The Plus package is $10 a month or an averages of $6 a month for the yearly subscription. The Pro package bumps up to $12 a month for the monthly payment schedule or $8 a month if you pay for the year and allows users a good portion of the available features.
Paying for the Premium package is safe the extra cost of $14 a month or $10 a month if you pay for the yearly subscription, as it gives you access to all available features, including all of the amazing collaborative features.
Fade In
Fade In is latest industry favorite that focuses on bringing consistent performance to your writing treat. There aren’t many fancy extras here, but there are a combine of unique features from the rest of the market. The Dialogue Tuner, for instance, allows you to edit all of a character’s dialogue at once so you can check for consistency and overused phrases. Fade In is one of the cheaper one-time payment apps on this list, coming in at $80, which breaks down to less than $7 a month over a year. Since it’s not a subscription, though, it’s just $80 and you’re done and updates to Fade In are free.
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