The Next Web

Conquer your distractions with this simple chart

Nir Eyal — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 10:54:42 +0000

Is the world more distracting? Sometimes it seems that way. With our digital devices buzzing, world events demanding our attention, and more things to entertain us than ever before, it certainly seems harder to focus on what’s really important. And yet, focus is exactly what it takes to get things done and get ahead. Distraction might appear more available than ever, but it is nothing new. Over 2,000 years ago, Socrates and Aristotle debated the nature of “akrasia,” (pronounced uh-crazy-uh), our tendency to act against our better judgement. To the ancient Greeks, mere mortals were prone to distraction due to…

This story continues at The Next Web

Learn what it takes to become a well-paid data center manager

TNW Deals — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 10:03:30 +0000

Data centers essentially serve as second headquarters for many businesses — a nerve center critical to long-term success and security. With that kind of responsibility, running and maintaining a data center is a big job… with the paycheck to match. So it literally pays to learn what it takes to manage those facilities with this Data Center Infrastructure Mastery training. You can learn all about the care and feeding of data centers right now at over 90 percent off from TNW Deals. When you dive into these four courses, you’ll get a full 14-hour overview of what it takes to…

This story continues at The Next Web

These are the ugliest tech products of 2016

Juan Buis — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 05:06:48 +0000

Technology can be beautiful. Technology can also look like it was pulled straight out of hell, crafted from children’s tears. As we look back on the year, it’s easy to see 2016 hasn’t exactly been great for tech design. Yes, there were some beautiful products — just take a look at Sharp’s edgeless concept phone. But mostly everything else has been total shit. We saw the second refresh of a tired iPhone design and laptops that all looked like MacBooks one way or another. But tech design isn’t bad when it’s boring, it’s bad when it’s bad. And oh my, I don’t know where to…

This story continues at The Next Web

15 last-minute gift ideas for $150 or less

Napier Lopez — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 22:50:16 +0000

So you want to get a gift for your techie friend or family member, but they seem to have all the standard choices – consoles, phones, games, and you don’t want to get them something they’re never going to use. Or maybe you just want to treat yourself to something over the holidays. Fret not, as we get to try out a lot of products here at TNW – here are a few ideas for practical gifts that could make someone’s life just a little bit easier or fun. Fitbit Charge 2 Fitbit is the biggest name in fitness trackers, and…

This story continues at The Next Web

These are (arguably) the best PlayStation 4 games of 2016

Bryan Clark — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 19:38:49 +0000

2016 was a great year for gaming. The unveiling of two ‘refreshed’ consoles — the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S — and a console-friendly VR headset — PlayStation VR — are undoubtedly the highlights, but graphics and hardware improvements aside, we saw some truly phenomenal games in 2016. These are some of my favorites, in no particular order. Dishonored 2 Set in the same locale as the 2012 original, Dishonored 2 opens the door to a sort of Victorian steampunk world that’s equally likely to feature futuristic robots as it is 1800’s steamers. You’ll play as one of two…

This story continues at The Next Web

5 ways to save big on your holiday spending

Lauren Gilmore — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 17:06:13 +0000

Regardless if you’re purchasing gifts online or in-person, you still want to save money. While many people smartly use rewards cards and coupons, they’re still missing out on valuable savings. which can cost you hundreds. These companies can help. From the right rewards programs to do-good discounts – check out the following and start saving today. Get smarter about rewards Curious which reward program fits you best? Birch helps you find new credit cards based on your spending habits. Already have cards with cash-back bonuses? You should still check out the finance app as it also helps you optimize what’s already in…

This story continues at The Next Web

The cool factor of proper dialogues… with robots

Bert Waltniel — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 13:41:03 +0000

Chatbots and similar types of applied artificial intelligence are on the rise. Sure, it may feel a bit strange to interact with robots., but most communication attempts actually turn out to be successful. Chatbots came into the scene in 2011 as technology created new ways to provide customer support that aligned with – and evolve alongside – ever-changing communication habits and demands. Chatbots are seen as a fun and easy way to help with customer service. Siri and Alexa are just two of the various chatbots businesses use. The future is Nao Earlier this year, Hilton started a test with…

This story continues at The Next Web

Tech trends we’re most looking forward to in 2017

Mix — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:32:19 +0000

As the end of the year looms over the horizon, it’s time to take a look forward and mull over the next big thing in technology. Like any year before, 2017 will bring its own problems and solutions, shaping up both the way we use and think about technology. So without further ado, take a dive into the future and check out some of the most exciting tech trends to look forward to in 2017. Virtual Reality With forecasts predicting its growth into a $30 billion market as early as 2020, much has been said about the bright future of virtual reality.…

This story continues at The Next Web

How the sharing economy will shift in the next 5 years

Scott Gerber — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 10:30:04 +0000

From Uber’s battle surrounding 1099s to Airbnb’s reports of security concerns, sharing economy companies are both finding their niche and dealing with growing pains. While these companies are here to stay, new rules surrounding how they operate are already changing the way they operate. To learn where these companies and rules are headed, I polled 15 entrepreneurs from YEC on the following. How do you think rules or regulations surrounding the sharing economy will play out in the next five years? And how will that affect companies like Uber and Airbnb? Their best answers are below: 1. More Employee Protections These businesses…

This story continues at The Next Web

3 courses that will get you building pro-quality, profitable websites in no time

TNW Deals — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 10:03:20 +0000

Building websites is one thing, but the true art of web development is the proper curation and promotion of your site to a receptive audience. Uncover the secrets of both creating dynamic web presentations and driving users to your pages with this in-depth Business of Programming Bundle. You can get this collection of coursework right now for just $29 from TNW Deals. Your first course, Introduction to Web Development, walks you through the basics of web development and how a website actually works. After mastering the core development languages of HTML and CSS, you’ll understand the basic design principles of…

This story continues at The Next Web