Tech / Technology

Viture One review: These XR glasses turn your phone into a 120-inch TV

Posted on:

This Viture One review dives into how it can benefit your everyday life, whether you’re a gamer, a worker bee, a night owl, or a privacy-conscious traveler.
Viture One XR glasses with iPhone 15 Pro Max

I plugged the Viture One glasses into my brand spankin’ new iPhone 15 Pro Max and my jaw dropped.

There it was. One of my favorite shows – Netflix’s Selling Sunset in all of its glory – hovering before my very eyes on a 120-inch virtual TV via a funky pair of XR glasses.

A couple wearing the Viture One XR glasses

Watch your favorite streaming shows and films on the Viture One XR glasses
Credit: Viture

And guess what? Not only can you plug the Viture One into your phone, but you can also connect it to your MacBook and Windows laptop. Hell, you can even stick it into your Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch to enjoy a blown-up gaming experience, which may be particularly useful while traveling.

However, the Viture One XR glasses don’t come cheap.

Viture One XR glasses price and availability

The Viture One XR glasses have an MSRP of $549, but as of this writing, they’re down to $439 on Amazon.

Alongside the XR glasses, you’ll get four nose pads. You can swap ‘em out to test which one feels most comfortable on your honker. 

What's inside Viture One packaging

Check out what’s included the Viture One packaging
Credit: Viture

You’ll also get a USB-C to magnetic connector cable, which lets you plug your XR glasses into your devices. And finally, a spiffy case ships with the Viture One XR glasses, too, so you can keep ‘em protected while you’re on the go.

I don’t typically talk about packaging in my reviews, but unboxing the Viture One XR glasses was a swanky, premium experience. A couple of “oohs” and “ahhs” escaped my lips while unwrapping the spectacles.

The box opens up like French doors and the quality of the black-and-orange case is top-notch. Even when I tried to deliberately scratch it or leave fingerprints, it was resistant to my attacks.

Viture One case

The Viture One XR glasses case
Credit: Viture

The Viture One XR glasses come in two colors: Jet Black and Matte Indigo.

What I love about the Viture One XR glasses

If you wore the Viture One without the cable attached to it, people would be none the wiser that you’re wearing a pair of badass XR glasses that can maximize your viewing experience into a dazzling 120-inch screen.

Sleek, sophisticated, lightweight design

However upon closer inspection, the Viture One looks bizarrely futuristic. It’s what I’d imagine VR glasses to look like in the year 2050 once we’ve reached Ready Player One nirvana. The top-edge of the glasses – the rims – are thick AF to accommodate two adjustment wheels.

Viture One XR glasses

The Viture One XR glasses are sleek and lightweight
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

 

These dual dials allow you to adjust the lenses for crystal-clear clarity. I played around with the dials to see if I could enhance the virtual display, but I didn’t need to – the glasses’ out-of-the-box settings were perfect for me.

The glasses’ temples are thick, too, to accommodate the cool tech that facilitates its XR prowess. On the end of the right temple, you’ll find some pogo pins that invite you to magnetically attach its companion cable.

Viture thought ahead about design flaws

While the glasses itself felt lightweight on my face (it’s only 2.7 ounces), the default nose pad felt uncomfortable – as if the weight of spectacles rested on the bridge. Luckily for me, Viture included three other nose pads. I opted for the largest one – it now feels cushy, snug and weightless.

Viture One pogo pins

Connect the cable magnetically via its pogo pins.
Credit: Viture

I also noticed that, while the glasses were connected to the cable, something kept snagging the wisps of hair that fell around my ears. As it turned out, Viture thought ahead about that, too. The Viture One XR glasses also includes something called an Anti-Clip Hair Cover that surrounds the magnetic pogo pins, which puts an end to all the irksome hair snagging.

Transforms my iPhone 15 Pro Max into a cinematic experience

Apple finally got with the program and added USB-C when it debuted the iPhone 15. This means you no longer need to use an adapter while using any current-generation iPhone (though you will need one for the iPhone 14 and older).

iPhone 15 Pro Max and Viture One

I connected the Viture One XR glasses to my iPhone 15 Pro Max
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I connected the Viture One XR glasses to my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and within seconds, the spectacles mirrored my display. At first, I was concerned – the glasses were mirroring my display in portrait orientation. I thought, “If I launch Netflix right now, will it stay in portrait mode, too?”

Fortunately, that’s not what happened. When I fired up Selling Sunset, the image flipped to horizontal orientation. Before my eyes, I saw reality TV actresses Christelle Stause and Amanza Smith having an emotional conversation on a 120-inch virtual screen, thanks to the micro-OLED screens. The display is 1080p and runs at 60 frames per second.

The show – known for sweeping, drone-facilitated, bird’s eye views of luxurious, million-dollar homes across LA – looked crisp and sharp on the Viture One. It showed off vivid, rich hues of verdant, lush landscaping and textured, colorful roofs.

Viture One worked its magic on my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

I plugged the Viture One into my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, too, but it required a few extra steps to ensure it’d work as smoothly as it did with my iPhone 15 Pro Max. First, while the XR glasses were connected, I had to turn off Samsung DeX, which launched by default. The issue with this feature is that it overrides screen-mirroring mode and splashes an unwanted desktop-like experience to your virtual monitor.

Viture One XR glasses on a bench

Viture One XR glasses
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You also must go to “Media Output,” which you can find by swiping down from the top of the screen, and switch it to the Viture One – or else you’ll find that the audio will play from the smartphone, not the XR glasses.

With these minor tweaks, I fired up The Wolf of Wall Street and watched Leonardo DiCaprio – clear and crisp as ever — cleverly convince a chump to buy junk stocks.

It supports laptops and tablets, too

I typed this very section using the Viture One with my M2 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro — and the experience was seamless.

Viture One XR glasses with MacBook Pro

I connected the Viture One to my MacBook Pro, too.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Unlike my streaming experience, smudges and other blemishes are less forgiving when it comes to reading text on the Viture One’s virtual monitor. As long as you take a microfiber and clean the lenses, the text on these spectacles are crisp.

What’s the use case for plugging the Viture One XR glasses to your laptop? You can work late nights on it without disturbing your partner. For example, I can darken the screen on my MacBook to its lowest setting, but with the spectacles connected, the virtual monitor is still bright and illuminated, allowing me to navigate on the Viture One without any issues.

This bad boy also works on tablets such as the iPad Air and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9.

What’s ‘eh’ about the Viture One glasses

There’s a lot to love about the Viture One glasses, but there’s one thing I’m indifferent about: the sound.

The sound is just OK

Viture boasts that that the XR glasses, packed with Harman-tuned audio, deliver an impressive spatial sound experience – and I concur. While watching The Wolf of Wall Street on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, for example, it felt as if I was sitting in a surround-sound theatre. However, the sound quality is just OK. It’s not remotely terrible, but doesn’t give me an “eargasm” either. However, this is expected because there’s only so much tech you can pack into a tiny pair of XR glasses.

What I don’t like about the Viture One glasses

One of the best use cases for the Viture One is gaming, particularly for those who love to travel with handheld PC consoles like the Steam Deck.

Viture One on a plane

The Viture One is an excellent travel accessory.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Do you know how annoying it is to have to crane your neck over the Steam Deck while you’re on a plane? With the Viture One, you can lay your head comfortably on your reclined seat. No matter where you look, you’ll find the 120-inch display before you while playing your favorite triple-A titles.

I ran Cyberpunk 2077 on my Steam Deck and had a blast picking off enemies one by one while trying to escape goons during a car chase. It’s worth noting that I had to use the adjustment dials to sharpen the display’s clarity, but once I did, I was kicking ass and taking names. I could also see myself using the Viture One for privacy reasons while traveling. Once the smart glasses are connected to the Steam Deck, the screen turns black, so nosybodies can’t see what you’re playing.

Playing Steam Deck with Viture One

The Viture One pairs well with the Steam Deck.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, I discovered one small grievance while gaming with my Lenovo Legion 9i.

Viture should offer longer cables

An ideal gaming session with the Viture One XR glasses would allow me to plug ’em into my Legion 9i gaming laptop that sits on my coffee table. After that, I can lie on my back and play my favorite Steam games like Dishonored and Prey – as if I had a 120-inch TV attached to the ceiling. However, I couldn’t fulfill that dream because the cable is too short.

Final thoughts

Keep in mind that the Viture One XR glasses aren’t compatible with every device. For example, when I plugged ’em into the Xiaomi 13T Pro and the Google Pixel 8 Pro, nothing happened. Check the compatibility list to make sure the Viture One XR glasses support your device of choice.

The Viture One is my favorite tech device I’ve tested this year. It has so many use cases, from transforming your smartphone into a 120-inch TV experience to upgrading your comfort while traveling with your Steam Deck. The only thing I’d change about it is the short cable, but other than that, these XR glasses are totally worth the $500 price tag.

Tech / Technology

How to avoid eBay scams

Posted on:

How to avoid eBay scams with a powerful password manager.
The eBay logo is displayed on a smartphone screen

TL;DR: The best way to protect yourself against eBay scams is with a comprehensive password manager like NordPass.


The sad fact is that whilst the online world can be a wonderul place, it’s also full of threats like hackers, viruses, and scams. To avoid all of these threats and improve your overall online experience, you need to protect yourself with advanced cybersecurity. Fortunately, there are a lot of premium solutions out there that can boost your online security so that you can focus on the good stuff.

If you’re looking to protect yourself against online threats like eBay scams, we have all the information you need.

What is an eBay scam? 

An eBay scam is a fraudulent activity or scheme designed to deceive and defraud eBay buyers or sellers. Scammers use a range of tactics to steal money or personal information from eBay users:

  • Scam listings — Listings with unusually low prices or sellers with negative reviews and suspicious activity should be avoided. You should also steer clear of listings that request payment through unusual or unsecured methods, listings with generic or stock photos that don’t match the description, and sellers who pressure you to complete transactions outside of eBay.

  • Phishing emails — Scammers send fraudulent emails that appear to be from eBay, aiming to trick users into revealing sensitive information or login credentials. These emails often contain fake links that lead to phishing websites. 

  • Tracking number scams — Seller provides a fake or invalid tracking number to delay disputes and make it seem like the item is on its way. Scammers hope that buyers won’t notice the deception until it’s too late to open a claim.

  • Fake customer service number scams — Scammers may provide users with a fake eBay customer service number, leading them to believe they are contacting eBay support. They then try to extract personal information or payments under the guise of assisting with an issue. 

Being aware that these common scams exist is a good place to start. But if you want another layer of protection, you should consider investing in a powerful password manager.

How to avoid eBay scams

To avoid being scammed on eBay, you should always research the seller’s history and feedback before making a purchase, use eBay’s messaging system to communicate with sellers, be cautious when dealing with sellers who request payment outside of eBay’s platform, and verify the legitimacy of eBay emails by checking the sender’s address and avoiding clicking on suspicious links. 

You can also protect yourself against eBay scams by using strong, unique passwords for your account and changing them regularly. This is where a password manager can really help.

What is the best password manager for eBay?

There are many password managers that can reliably protect against eBay scams, but NordPass might be the best.

NordPass is a smart and cost-effective choice for securing your online world. NordPass can help generate strong and unique passwords in just seconds, and checks your stored passwords and identifies weak ones. This feature ensures that all your password combinations are secure and difficult to crack.

A two-year subscription to a NordPass Family Premium Plan is on sale for £53.73, saving you 54% on list price. This plan lets you connect up to six accounts, and comes with a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Protect yourself against eBay scams with NordPass.

Tech / Technology

15 memes for when you’re feeling sad as hell

Posted on:

Here are the best wholesome memes for when you’re feeling low, from Bongo Cat to the Really Nice Pornhub Guy.
An illustration of a crying woman at a computer. Ghostly arms emerge from the screen to hug her.

Words aren’t always sufficient when you’re feeling low. Sometimes, humor can be the best medicine for a case of The Sads.

We’re all well aware of the internet’s potential to be a little dumpster fire-adjacent at times. But at this point we can’t just click away — many of us frequently use our social media spheres as tools for coping with everything from mental health struggles to the never-ending nonsense that is the political news cycle.

But even the most well-intentioned use of internet culture for mood lifting can be fraught with bad vibes. While there are tons of self-deprecating and depression-related memes circulating the net, we think you deserve something a bit more uplifting.

Wholesome memes aren’t just heart-warming, they’re helping to shape a better, more positive online space. So if you’re feeling down, just know, these memes are here to surround you with a warm blanket of love and support.

Because sometimes, all you can really do is laugh.

1. Houseplant positivity

It’s hard to keep plant babies alive, it’s true. But when they do flourish, so do our spirits.

2. Bongo Cat

Watch this funky little internet sensation pat the drums to a number of songs, and feel your worries melt away.

3. Your Friend Doge

The Your Friend Doge account is full of a new, wholesome take on the old-school meme.

4. The Boys on the Train

Bonus! The adorable follow up comic shows their summer wedding.

5. Pokémon Center reviews

They’re shaped like a FRIEND.

6. Uptown Girl Rock

“Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO just so happens to have the same (or almost the same) beats per minute as a lot of songs, actually. This is simply a personal favorite.

7. Land of Boggs

This whole account is a gem of relatable feels.

8. Strange Planet

A B S O R B.

9. Really Nice Porn Man

Ryan Creamer, otherwise known as the Wholesome Pornhub Guy, has a channel full of hilarious and non-sexual “porn” videos.

10. Thoughts of Dog

Seeing dogs on the internet is good. But you know what’s even better? Dog thoughts that show our puppers love us too.

11. No time for The Sads

It’s simply not allowed.

12. Kids Write Jokes

Half of these kids should have a deal for a stand-up special on Netflix by now..

13. Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart’s friendship

Snoop and Martha are true friendship goals.

14. Guy Fieri Go

Guy Fieri already looks like a Pokémon character — all that’s left is imaging him taking on Ash and Pikachu in the world’s spiciest Pokémon battle.

15. The Duality of Cat

If Anfisa, the cat behind the Angry Cat No Banana meme, can learn to love bananas, you can make it through this tough time.

Don’t worry, these feelings will pass. But in the meantime, if we can offer you some memes in this trying time, we hope they can provide at least a little bit of relief. If not, there’s always Cookie Monster’s AMA.

UPDATE: Nov. 6, 2023, 4:41 p.m. AEDT This article was originally published in Mar. 2019, and has since been updated in Nov. 2023.

Tech / Technology

The best dating apps: 13 picks for November 2023

Posted on:

Not sure which dating app is right for you? Check out our guide to the best dating apps of 2023, which gives the details on all your online dating options, from Hinge to eharmony and Feeld.
Woman laying on the couch and looking at her phone

Not too long ago, social media was the go-to spot online for meeting a potential partner or finding a hookup for the night. Before that, you probably had a few friends who met their significant other the old-fashioned way: at a bar, coffee shop, or bookstore (all the meet-cutes we’ve seen in romantic movies).

Fast forward to 2023, factor in the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our dating landscape has evolved — we’ve got a mix of in-person and online dating options to choose from. Social media (think: Facebook dating, shooting your shot on Instagram, and sliding into DMs) is out, and dating apps are (back) in.

Are dating apps worth it?

If you’re on the fence about getting on the apps or are wondering if it’s even worth signing up, here’s why recommend giving them a shot.

Dating apps give you the rare opportunity to connect with hundreds of people you wouldn’t have known otherwise while also allowing you to explore your sexuality and find out what you want in a partner.

Statista predicts that the online dating audience will grow to 53.3 million by 2025, a leap from 44.2 million users in 2020. This pre-pandemic prediction came before the COVID-era dating app sign-ups surge. And, according to a 2023 report from the Pew Research Center, one in every 10 partnered adults (married and committed couples) discovered their current partner through a dating site or app. That’s a lot of swiping right.

Sure, online dating can still be a bit of a slog — but that’s basically the case for dating in general. It takes time and effort, even if you’re using the best dating site or app possible. Even so, apps are a great way to keep you meeting new people and helping you find the connection you’re looking for.

Which dating apps actually work?

With so many dating apps out there, it’s easy to feel confused or overwhelmed by the options. While Match Group (Tinder, Match, Archer, OkCupid, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and The League, among others) continues to dominate the market, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one brand when looking for the best dating app.

First Round’s On Me (FROME), for example, is a newer dating app that’s gained popularity for its date invitation feature. Choose a drink, date, time, and venue; the app will send a personalized invitation to your potential match. Once a date is confirmed, it’s locked into both users’ calendars, and the in-app chat feature is activated 12 hours before the date.

Other apps, like Feeld and Pure, cater to people open to ethical non-monogamy relationships or threesomes. There really is something for everyone out there.

The best dating apps of 2023

Finding the best dating app is purely subjective. To help you out, we’ve narrowed down some of the best dating apps of 2023 based on hands-on testing, customer reviews, overall functionality, availability (all are available on the App Store or Google Play), and user-friendliness:

Tech / Technology

Best dating sites for people over 40: What we’ve tested (and loved) as of November 2023

Posted on:

Looking for love after 40? We tried and tested the best dating sites and apps for singles over 40.
An older couple cuddling on the couch

Dating beyond 40 may seem intimidating. Unlike your 20s or 30s, you can’t assume everyone your age is single and looking. While meeting people organically in public still happens, it can be easier to meet potential partners where they’re actively seeking a romantic connection — on dating sites. Read on for the best dating apps for people over 40, plus tips on how to get back in the dating game.

How to start dating again at 40

The first step is just acknowledging that you’re ready. From there, decide how and where you’d like to meet potential partners. Dating apps have become the norm over the years, making them a standard choice rather than a last resort.

You’ll also want to be direct with what you’re looking for. Are you interested in a serious relationship, a casual encounter, or perhaps a friendship that could evolve into something more? Whatever it is, be upfront. You don’t want to fall for someone only to realize you aren’t looking for the same thing. Yes, it’s more vulnerable to say exactly what you want, but being straightforward from the outset is the new dating norm.

As in any phase of life, dating takes time and patience. We spoke to Jennifer Frazier, a 46-year-old based in Indiana, who met someone awesome on Match. They went on a few dates, and she really liked him, but he was interested in dating a lot of women at the same time, and though Frazier enjoyed his company, she realized that kind of relationship wasn’t for her.

What are the best dating apps for over 40?

The best dating site varies depending on what you’re looking for. If you want something serious, match has 25 years of experience to help you find someone compatible who is also looking for a serious relationship. eharmony also specializes in serious relationships, but the site is really for people who want to marry their next partner, so it’s taking serious to the highest level. Though, Frazier had a pretty shitty experience with eharmony — after the extensive questionnaire, she was matched with a coworker’s husband (yikes). While you would hope everyone on dating apps is single, you still want to pay attention to obvious red flags.

Casual daters and people who don’t want to jump into anything too serious just yet should utilize Tinder, Hinge, or Bumble. OKCupid is best for liberals and the LGBTQ community. There is a dating site for everybody; finding the one that strikes gold for you might take some time.

Finally, after extensive reviews of the top dating apps, we recommend that singles over 40 avoid Zoosk and Our Time, two apps that didn’t make the cut. (Check out the “How we tested” section below for more information on our selection criteria.)

Most dating sites and apps have free versions, so you can test them without fully committing. Here’s a breakdown of our top picks for the best online dating site for people 40 and older:

Tech / Technology

Best dating sites for seniors: Updated for November 2023

Posted on:

Looking for love after 50 or 60? We’ve tested the best mature dating sites to help you meet someone to spend your golden years with.
senior couple dancing while holding hands

Dating can be awkward, scary, and just plain frustrating at any age. True, being in the over-60 group may mean that more people your age are already off the market, but there are still so many fish in the sea. Online dating can introduce you to those fish that you may have never met otherwise.

To help you find your perfect match — whether you’re interested in something casual or a long-term relationship — Mashable tested the best dating sites for seniors to evaluate age-specific options and more mainstream apps with large mature user bases alike. Our goal? To figure out which dating platform is the best fit for you, and to demystify online dating as best we can.

Is dating over 50 hard?

If you’re hesitant about trying online dating as a senior, you’re not alone. While using the internet to find love or a date is second nature to young folks, there’s a bit of a learning curve for new, older users. But here’s the thing: Seniors actually have tons of advantages when it comes to online dating.

For starters, many people in their 20s simply aren’t ready to settle down. But as a mature dater over 60, you’ve been figuring out this whole “love” thing for longer than millennials have been alive. You know the red flags, and you know what you want.

In general, online dating gives you access to a wider pool of potential matches. When you’re limited to meeting local people in person, serendipitous moments can feel few and far between. The best online dating apps are like windows to the world, letting you connect both with people who live nearby or cuties from somewhere you’ve been thinking of visiting. Plus, you can’t deny the convenience (or the rush) of the possibility of meeting your special someone even on the nights that you don’t want to leave your couch.

We’ve gathered the best dating sites for seniors below based on our own experiences, hands-on reviews, and research with dating app users. We’ve also included some info to help you make the most of online dating, like whether a platform requires a paid membership to access the most in-depth features. (Note that prices for dating apps and sites are constantly changing. We update regularly, but there might be minor price differences.) From fun, easy-to-use apps to more serious dating websites, here’s to finding love later in life!

UPDATE: Sep. 22, 2023, 1:00 a.m. EDT This article has been updated to reflect our latest hands-on dating site reviews. Ultimately, we decided to remove Zoosk and relegated Our Time to “last-resort” status.