Author: Mars Salazar Page 11 of 29

Marianne is Nixplay's Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

Gen Z: When Real Meets Digital

By Mars Salazar

On November 6, 2019

In From The Nixplay Team

The next time you point to millennials as the masterminds behind a new slang word or a viral online trend, you might want to inspect another group: Gen Z. These are the people born between 1997 and 2012 and thus, have never known life without the internet.

Since their earliest years, Gen Z had been conditioned to polish and prime their online presence in order to become the most presentable version of themselves. Their selfies, for example, go through a painstaking selection and editing process before being posted online.

It’s not just the selfies

This habit of zooming in to every detail to project a picture-perfect life extends beyond selfies. Nearly all photos that make it to their social media accounts, from family pictures to food shots to travel snaps, are subject to the same stringent curation process. And they certainly wouldn’t mind going out of their comfort zones for a jaw-dropping photo.

Unclear but Present Danger

However, maintaining a Pinterest-worthy online presence has its perils. The more we rely on technology to improve our lives, the more accessible our data becomes. The laptops and mobile phones that we can’t live without could easily be used to spy on us. Everything from your location to your passwords and financial details, as well as mundane things, such as what you had for dinner last night, can be uncovered online. Data privacy is—and will always be—an ever-pressing concern, and Gen Z, given the speed at which they adopt the latest apps and trends, are the most vulnerable.

Here at Nixplay, we use the most modern physical, managerial, and technical safeguards that are designed to improve the integrity and security of your photos, videos, and other personally identifiable information. The servers on which personal information is stored are kept in a controlled environment with limited access, and your data is encrypted and protected using the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol. Nixplay is also GDPR-compliant, and we will let you access and even delete your data that we store, upon your request.

Your online safety and privacy is our priority. With Nixplay, you can ensure that you’re sharing your moments safely and securely.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

nixplay digital frames oktoberfest traditions

5 Oktoberfest Traditions You Shouldn’t Miss

By Mars Salazar

On October 2, 2019

In Holidays

Oktoberfest is one of the longest-running festivals in the world and as such, holds lots of meaningful traditions. Here are some of them!

The parade of the Oktoberfest tent owners

You shouldn’t miss the parade of the hosts to their respective tents, which happens at 11 a.m. on the first day of the festival. It lasts about 1 hour and attracts more than a thousand onlookers. We suggest you go there early so you can find a prime spot to take pictures from!

The opening of the first barrel by the Mayor of Munich

The Oktoberfest celebration officially begins when the Mayor of Munich uncorks the first barrel of beer using a wooden mallet. When the first mug is poured, he says “O’zapft is!” (that’s “pour it!” in German) to mark the beginning of the festivities.

The procession on the first Sunday of Oktoberfest

The Trachten-und Schützenzug is a big parade that passes through Munich, heading to the Theresienwiese, where the Oktoberfest festival is traditionally held. It starts at 10 a.m. and over 9,500 people from all over the world take part in it, accompanied by marching bands and brass orchestras. This parade has historical significance–it was held for the first time in 1835 to honor the 25th wedding anniversary of King Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria, and it has become an anticipated event, broadcasted on live TV, since 1950.

Watch (or participate in) Feldl’s Teufelsrad

The Teufelsrad’s concept is very simple: A large spinning disc, where people of a certain demographic can climb on and hold tight as the spinning becomes faster. It’s quite challenging, but a lot of fun!

Watch a free public concert

The second Sunday of the festival, meanwhile, sees a big concert of around 300 musicians at the foot of the Bavaria statue. It usually starts at 11 a.m. and is traditionally conducted by the mayor and the various celebrities present at Oktoberfest. Get there early to score a great view!

Oktoberfest is one of the most anticipated festivals in the world, so if you’re attending, make sure to take lots of pictures! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, so don’t forget to charge your cameras and phones beforehand. Afterward, display your favorite Oktoberfest pictures on your own Nixplay Frame! Get up to 25% off on selected frames with our Oktoberfest promo, only until October 9!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Oktoberfest

By Mars Salazar

On September 23, 2019

In Customer Testimonials

Attending Oktoberfest in Munich should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s two weeks of beer, food, and loads of fun. If you’re planning to attend this event, here are some fun trivia you should know beforehand.

It wasn’t originally a beer festival.

You read that right: Oktoberfest wasn’t always all about beer. In fact, not a single drop was served during the very first Oktoberfest! Held in 1810, the event originally commemorated the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and his wife, Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. In fact, the open space where Oktoberfest celebrations are held is called Theresienwiese, or Theresa’s fields.

You have to wait for the go signal to drink.

You can’t just enter a tent and request for a beer stein immediately. First, there’s an official gun salute, followed by the mayor announcing ‘O’zapft is!’, then the first mug of beer is offered to the Bavarian minister-president. When this ceremony is done, only then can the drinking commence.

The beer served here is special.

Each year, 7.5 million liters of beer are specially brewed within Munich for Oktoberfest by just six breweries: Augustiner-Bräu, Löwenbräu, Spatenbräu, Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu, and Paulaner-Bräu, and Staatliches Hofbräu-München. Oktoberfestbier, as the special brew is called, is usually darker and stronger than most beers, with up to six percent alcohol due to a higher hop content.

You should dress for the occasion.

If you really want to get into the Oktoberfest spirit, you should deck yourself out in traditional Bavarian garb. For girls, it’s a dirndl, and for guys, it’s lederhosen. But if that’s not your style, you can deck yourself out in Adidas’ Oktoberfest sneakers, which have a waterproof leather upper and a Bavarian flag-emblazoned insole.

There’s also a wine tent.

Not in the mood for beer? There’s a tent that serves 15 different types of wine, as well as champagne and sparkling wines. Oh, and there’s around 140 food stands and eateries too–perfect for filling up before drinking!

Get into the Oktoberfest spirit with Nixplay! We’re marking the occasion by giving you up to 25 percent off selected Nixplay Frames, only until October 9. Prost!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

“Smart Home Guide: How to Make Your Home a Smart Home” is locked Smart Home Guide: How to Make Your Home a Smart Home

Smart Home Guide: How to Make Your House a Smart Home

By Mars Salazar

On September 20, 2019

In Home & Interiors

Smart devices and technology are reaching a new zenith of revolutionization. More and more people are now working on making their houses smarter to attain a more comfortable lifestyle. And true enough, smart homes can improve the quality of your life by increasing convenience and security.

What is a Smart Home?

In a smart home, one can easily monitor all the appliances present in it via Wi-Fi using a smartphone. It provides complete convenience and control.

What Does a Smart Home Do?

Have you ever stepped out of your house, only to worry hours later whether you were able to turn off the coffee maker or switch on the security alarm before leaving? A smart home can help you avoid these. It’s an excellent way of monitoring your house using a tablet or smartphone, whether you’re at home or away.

All smart appliances and devices can communicate with one another and do all their tasks efficiently. Not only can they follow your commands, but they’re also usually energy-efficient, making them a great investment for both your home and the environment. If you want to build a smart home for yourself, then you must have Top Reveal‘s smart home must-haves below.

Good Internet Reception in Every Part of the House

If you want to have a smart home, you will need a good internet reception. Invest in a Wi-Fi router with a proper network and ample data to avoid latency. All your smart devices should work in perfect synchronization if the internet reception is good.

A Nixplay Smart Frame

A Nixplay Smart Photo Frame is a brilliant photo viewing smart device that you can use to fill your home with images of your favorite moments. This is a Wi-Fi and cloud-enabled photo viewer which can sync your images from any device and display them at your house in real-time, wherever in the world you may be.

Smart Home Hubs and Controllers

Smart home hubs and controllers, like Amazon Alexa, are the brains of the smart home operations. These tools help connect different smart home devices, providing complete home automation. They will allow you to control all the appliances and smart devices in your home from a single app.

Smart Doorbell

Replace your regular doorbell with a smart doorbell as it is a safer and a smarter move. A smart doorbell will have HD cameras in it, letting you view the person standing in front of it using your mobile phone. It is an excellent way of keeping tabs on the people ringing the doorbell and entering your house.

Smart Door Locks

Enhance your home’s security by installing a smart door lock in place of regular door locks. This way, you can avoid forgetting the keys or missing them–you’ll just need to use your fingerprint to enter your house.

Smart Lighting (Smart Light Bulbs)

Smart light bulbs are a major component of a futuristic home. These will be connected to a hub or any platform that can be regulated by using a smartphone. You can also control the color and the level of brightness with your smartphone.

Smart Kitchen Appliances

Smart kitchen appliances, especially the smart refrigerator, are very important in every home. An intelligent refrigerator allows you to easily monitor its temperature and status, and it can also send you alerts for situations such as if the door of the fridge was left open. Make sure you are investing in smart kitchen appliances as these will make your meal prep faster and easier.

Smart Cleaning Appliances

Smart cleaning appliances are equally crucial for a smart home. These cleaning appliances will not only save you a lot of energy, but they are very efficient. Depending on your lifestyle, you can pick a smart cleaning device that can cater to all your household requirements.

Smart Washers and Dryers

Smart dryers and washers are not only energy-efficient, but these will also reduce the time you spend doing the laundry to just a few minutes, allowing you to do other tasks while waiting for your clothes to be cleaned. They are easy to use and they will save a lot of space in your house.

Smart Coffee Makers

Coffee is essential in nearly every household, which is why your smart home would be incomplete without a coffee maker. These machines are sleek and energy-efficient, and if you can’t live without your daily cup of joe, then you’d be extra thankful for a machine that can let you enjoy your brew hassle-free, just the way you like it.

Smart Surveillance Camera

If you’re converting your abode into a smart home, you should definitely install some smart cameras inside the house to make it more secure. Ensure that your smart surveillance camera can catch every everything at FHD 1080 p, leaving nothing blurred or indistinguishable. It must also have the ability to send motion notifications and display a live feed.

Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

A smart carbon monoxide and smoke detector are significant in every smart home. Just think: If your house catches fire, you’re more likely to die from smoke inhalation than from actually catching fire. With a smart smoke detector, you will be able to prepare for and prevent this scenario.

There are indeed several smart devices which are available in the market, but picking the right ones for your home is a tough task. Know your priorities and choose the ones that will make your home more efficient and help you save money.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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Nixplay’s College Experience Checklist

By Mars Salazar

On September 11, 2019

In Lifestyle

College is one of the best times of a person’s life–it’s when you can explore what the world has to offer while still tethered to a safe, supportive community. Once you get your diploma, you’ll truly be on your own in the big, bad world, and a fruitful university experience will arm you with the necessary skills and street smarts to handle whatever life throws your way.

If you or your child is attending college, here are some things that should be ticked off before graduating:

Befriend a professor.

Professors are valuable sources of wisdom, and you should take advantage of their availability to consult with them on academic and co-curricular (maybe even personal) matters. Moreover, you should get to know better (but don’t suck up to) the professors who made an impact on you, maybe even ask them to mentor you. Whether you need a better explanation of the day’s lesson, a recommendation letter for your internship, or sensible life advice, a good professor will be an indispensable ally as you journey through life.

Work part-time.

Having a bit of real work experience that isn’t your internship before graduating isn’t just good for your resume–it’s also great for your character. It’s a great opportunity to learn soft skills, network and find a mentor, and find a job you can take on after graduating. The extra cash doesn’t hurt, either!

Be a leader.

It’s high time you get out of your shell and try running for office! Being a leader on campus is guaranteed to make your resume stand out come job-hunting season. You’ll also learn how to manage people, resolve conflicts diplomatically, and be a great networker–all crucial skills you’ll need in your career.

Be a dean’s lister.

High grades will always be impressive, and even the bullies who taunted the nerds back in high school will grudgingly agree. Aim to be on the dean’s list, even for just one semester. The knowledge that you aced that statistics class you pulled several all-nighters in your dorm for will give you a confidence boost like no other.

Make lifelong friends.

Being apart from friends and classmates you grew up with can seem like a daunting prospect. But instead of viewing college as a lonely experience where you’ll be surrounded by strangers, think of it as an opportunity to meet people whom you wouldn’t get to know otherwise. You’ll meet people from all walks of life, so take this chance to expand your circle and forge new friendships!

While each person’s college experience is unique, one thing’s for sure: You’ll always wish that you took more pictures while in university. Get your camera or smartphone and capture each moment, especially the ordinary ones where you’re just enjoying life’s little pleasures.

Make sure to make your memories count by uploading them on a Nixplay Frame so you can easily reminisce about your college memories with your loved ones! For a limited time, get 25% off on selected Nixplay Seed frames, only until September 15!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.