mindfulness

AppWizard
March 15, 2025
This weekend, consumers can find notable savings on various products, including a subscription to Headspace and Sonos' Ray soundbar. Valve's Steam Spring Sale is ongoing until 1 PM ET on March 20th, featuring discounts on PC games. Chrono Trigger is available for .74, Cyberpunk 2077 for .76, and Doom for .99. Indie games like Inscryption and Slay the Spire are priced at .99 and .24, respectively, while Vampire Survivors costs .74. The Sonos Ray soundbar is priced at , offering a savings of . Headspace has reduced its annual subscription to .99 until March 18th, providing access to various mindfulness resources. Additionally, Sony's Astro Bot PlayStation 5 bundle, including a 1TB PS5 slim model and Game of the Year title, is available for 9 at major retailers, with a Digital Edition configuration priced at 9.
AppWizard
March 15, 2025
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is using Minecraft to enhance social-emotional learning (SEL) among middle school students, focusing on skills like collaboration, communication, empathy, and problem-solving. The initiative has faced criticism for its connections to broader educational frameworks, including critical race theory (CRT). DoDEA serves over 67,000 military-connected students across 161 schools in various locations. The program has been rebranded as “resilience” initiatives, aligning with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's commitment to comply with executive orders prohibiting certain educational content related to DEI and CRT. Prior to these orders, Pentagon schools faced scrutiny for including controversial books in their libraries.
AppWizard
March 11, 2025
TikTok has introduced a Wind Down tool for users under 16, activating automatically after 10 PM to display calming visuals and music. The platform plans to test meditation exercises within this feature. Additionally, new parental control options include the Time Away feature, allowing parents to restrict app access during specific times. TikTok is enhancing its Family Pairing tools, enabling parents to monitor their child's interactions on the app. Val Richey, TikTok’s global head of outreach and partnerships, emphasized the importance of supporting teenage well-being and fostering healthy digital habits while maintaining communication with parents.
Winsage
February 10, 2025
Microsoft refreshed the Windows Health Dashboard, providing updated information on known bugs affecting Windows 11 version 24H2, including a fix for users unable to modify specific date and time settings and a workaround for difficulties with Windows updates via USB or CD media. A guide was shared on restoring Dolby Digital (AC-3) support in Windows 11 version 24H2, and two debloating applications, WinScript and NoBloatbox, were introduced for system optimization and bloatware removal. This week's preview builds for Windows 11 included a significant update for MIDI and allowed users to customize widgets on their lock screens. An update for the Microsoft Store now permits users to choose which components of games to download. Optical Character Recognition has returned in the Photos app for Windows Insiders with enhancements and bug fixes. Microsoft announced the dates for its upcoming developer conference, Build 2025, scheduled for May 19-22 in Seattle, Washington. Firefox 135 was released with a redesigned new tab page and privacy enhancements, while Microsoft Edge 133 launched with an updated downloads interface and an AI-powered scareware blocker. Chrome version 134 is set to enhance picture-in-picture mode. In gaming news, several Xbox titles, including Forza Horizon 5 and Age of Mythology: Retold, are being released for PlayStation 5. EA's Criterion Games is focused on the next Battlefield installment, leaving the future of Need for Speed uncertain. Microsoft will host the first ID@Xbox showcase on February 24, 2025. Valve updated Steam to include a banner for abandoned games, and Nvidia announced new games for the GeForce NOW streaming service. The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles, and Amazon Prime members have access to several free games.
AppWizard
December 15, 2024
Android fitness applications are essential for tracking progress and maintaining motivation toward health goals. Notable apps include: - Flo Period & Ovulation Tracker: Over 380 million users, tracks ovulation, fertility, water intake, physical activity, and mood, offers reminders and a content library on health topics, and includes a feature for couples to connect accounts. - JustFit - Lazy Workout: Focuses on home workouts without gym memberships, allows personalized fitness plans, and includes Pilates workouts requiring minimal equipment. - MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter: Provides visibility into health profiles with a database of 14 million food items, features a barcode scanner, and integrates with over 50 apps and devices. - Calorie Counter - MyNetDiary: User-friendly for weight loss and nutrition management with over 1.7 million food items, an AI-powered scanner, and a community feature for motivation. - Pilates Workout at Home: Offers budget-friendly Pilates workouts with personalized plans and step-by-step video tutorials designed by certified experts. - Finch: Self-Care Pet: Introduces a virtual pet that evolves with user engagement in self-care activities, offering quizzes, motivational quotes, and journaling spaces. - Fasting - Intermittent Fasting: Simplifies intermittent fasting with customizable plans and a resource hub for tips, integrating with wearable devices. - Wysa: Anxiety, therapy chatbot: An AI-powered chatbot using CBT and DBT techniques for emotional support, includes mood tracking, mindfulness exercises, and options to connect with therapists. - TrainingPeaks: Designed for endurance coaching, offers structured training plans, real-time tracking with wearables, and advanced features for serious athletes. - Muscle Monster Workout Planner: A comprehensive workout planner with over 300 exercises, AI-driven guidance, and support for various training environments.
AppWizard
November 23, 2024
Humanities professors Michael Call and Brian Croxall at BYU have launched a video gaming initiative that combines technology and the humanities. Every Monday at 4:00 p.m., students attend a lecture on a selected video game, followed by gameplay throughout the week. The initiative began with games like Stardew Valley and Minecraft and aims to explore various games and their cultural significance. Croxall emphasizes the artistic value of video games, comparing them to traditional forms of art. Call highlights the historical connection between 17th-century French society and gaming, noting the lack of academic discussion around video games on campus. The series provides a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue among faculty. Call points out the cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of gaming, while also cautioning against excessive gaming. He encourages mindfulness and moderation in gaming habits. Call also shares a personal connection to Star Wars Battlefront 2, illustrating the emotional impact of video games.
AppWizard
October 27, 2024
Samsung has upgraded its Health app for Android, allowing users to access medical history, manage medications, and track food intake. The update is designed for Indian consumers, enabling users to input medication names and receive detailed information, including side effects and safety guidelines, as well as alerts for harmful interactions. The app also includes personalized reminders for medication intake and refills, which can be received on a Galaxy Watch. Additional features include sleep tracking, mindfulness exercises, and alerts for irregular heart rhythms. The medication tracking feature will be rolled out in India through app updates, with information provided by Tata 1mg. Users are advised to update their Samsung Health app to access the new feature.
AppWizard
September 25, 2024
Scientific research indicates that brain development typically concludes around the age of 25, with cognitive abilities beginning to decline as we age, resulting in a brain mass decrease of approximately 5% every decade starting in our 40s. Engaging in lifelong learning habits is essential for maintaining mental agility and overall health. The Google Play Store features several apps that support personal growth and skill development: 1. Duolingo: Language learning app with over 500 million downloads and a rating of 4.7. 2. Photomath: Math-solving app with over 200 million downloads and a rating of 4.8. 3. Grammarly: Writing assistant app with over 100 million downloads and a rating of 4.6. 4. Headspace: Mindfulness and meditation app with over 50 million downloads and a rating of 4.8. 5. LinkedIn Learning: Professional development app with over 20 million downloads and a rating of 4.8. 6. Forest: Productivity app with over 20 million downloads and a rating of 4.7.
Search