Tag: technology
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For Gen Z, TikTok is more than entertainment. It’s a search engine.
![A person walking down a search bar surrounded by social media logos.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03UzRHb9NbvP8TNVV5VATGf/hero-image.jpg)
Zach Carter, a 24-year-old brand strategist from Los Angeles, curates his searches to which social platform he’s on. “I’ll go to TikTok for fashion, food, or culture because I know the user base of the app provides that content, whereas on Twitter I’ll search for the news.” Carter isn’t the only one: Increasingly, young people are using social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to search for things to do and places to try, even seeking out news and important information, rather than consulting traditional discovery tools like Google Search and Google Maps.
According to TechCrunch, Google’s Prabhakar Raghavan, a senior vice president in charge of Google Search, said, “In our studies, something like almost 40 percent of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, they don’t go to Google Maps or Search. They go to TikTok or Instagram.” He’s referring to a survey of U.S. users, ages 18 to 24.
As someone within that age group, the statistic doesn’t surprise me. Growing up with access to the internet, I’ve learned to customize my experience on the internet. I know where to go for what, and when searching for something hyper-specific sometimes Google Search isn’t always my best friend. But I was curious how other people within Google’s age range searched, so I spoke with 30 of my peers about their online search habits.
A UK survey found that TikTok is the fastest growing source of news among young adults ages 16 to 24. This obviously raises alarm because of the rampant misinformation on the platform, but TikTok isn’t only being used as a news source.
Amanda Cash, a 22-year-old law school student, searches TikTok for recipe ideas and travel recommendations. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Teresa in Southern California seeks out instructional how-to videos that are “shorter and more to the point” then what she’d typically find on YouTube.
I found that people are using TikTok similarly to how they use Pinterest. In February of this year TikTok launched a new feature called Collections, essentially copying Pinterest’s defining feature. Collections allows TikTok users to organize their favorited videos into folders. Instagram implemented a similar feature in 2019. The Collections feature allows users to save recommendations and organize them into useful categories, making it easier for users to quickly return to ideas and recommendations.
![Screenshot of the Collections feature on Instagram.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03UzRHb9NbvP8TNVV5VATGf/images-1.fill.size_435x750.v1659033261.jpg)
Credit: Screenshot: TikTok
“I’ll search ‘thrifting in Paris’ or ‘restaurants in Lisbon’ and save the things that look good to a little folder to refer back to. I also have a little recipe folder. [I am a] big fan of the folder feature,” explained Cash.
It’s not just that people are searching for suggestions on TikTok. They’re also relying on their individual algorithms to feed them geo-specific recommendations. If you find something you want to try, you can save it to a folder and return to your favorites when you need inspiration for where to go or what to cook.
In talking to my peers, three things came up in nearly every conversation about what people turn to social media for: recipes, restaurants, and travel recommendations.
People are sick of the Google recipe algorithm that prioritizes obscure search engine optimized blogs. It’s been a running joke on the internet that in order to read a recipe you have to get through the blogger’s entire life story, but this is actually deterring the young people I talked to from searching for recipes on Google. Because a TikTok has to quickly grab your attention, recipe videos on the platform are to the point, putting the focus on the food, not the creator.
Emily Mariko, one of the most popular food creators on TikTok, doesn’t talk to her 11.5 million followers in her videos, rather she lets the food speak for itself. She draws the viewer in with her straightforward visual recipes and tidy plating, showing how enticing video recipes can be without someone telling you every single step. It’s a huge draw for 23-year-old Kyra Papazian. “I mainly use TikTok and Instagram to look up recipes as opposed to searching that on Google,” she told Mashable. “It can be a specific search like ‘banana bread’ or [a] general search like, ‘dinner ideas.’ It’s so much easier than searching a recipe on Google and scrolling through a long article.”
![An image of a breakfast bowl.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03UzRHb9NbvP8TNVV5VATGf/images-2.fit_lim.size_376x.jpg)
Credit: TikTok / emilymariko
![A freshly baked pie.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03UzRHb9NbvP8TNVV5VATGf/images-3.fit_lim.size_376x.jpg)
Natalie Gomas, a 23-year-old student from Boston, uses TikTok for recipes and workout ideas. “The way recipes are done on webpages annoys me a lot. You have to scroll through so much stuff to get to the actual recipes,” she told Mashable. Similarly, the workouts she finds on the app “aren’t too complicated” to try at home. “The workouts on TikTok are workouts I’d actually want to do.”
In a TikTok, you can immediately see what a restaurant looks like and see the person recommending it. It allows for maximum vibe reconnaissance. Additionally, if someone made a TikTok on it, and it came up on your FYP, chances are it’s something you’ll actually enjoy and the information is up to date. Since the pandemic began it’s hard to know what information on Google Search is current. Several times I’ve found a restaurant through Google Search only to later discover that it’s since gone out of business.
Ella Boyce, a 23 year-old who has spent the past year traveling in South America and Europe, relies on TikTok and Instagram for travel recommendations. “A lot of blogs aren’t designed for phones, so it’s hard to read, and there’s no centralized fount to crowd source info; it’s all random decentralized blogs from Google,” Boyce explained to Mashable. “It’s harder to tell someone’s credibility from an article than from a video because you can see the person.”
So the next time you’re looking for travel inspiration or a place to grab a slice of pizza, you might find what you’re searching for on TikTok.
Make yourself marketable for project management positions with this 100-hour course bundle
![Person working with The 2022 Premium Project Management Super Prep Bundle.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01fyGk8EI89E9ZtFnyrMDtZ/hero-image.jpg)
TL;DR: As of July 31, you can get the The 2022 Premium Project Management Super Prep Bundle for just $59.99 instead of $999 — that’s a 93% discount.
Project management is one of those transferable skills that are usually pretty in-demand. It’s also a skill that could be hard to learn if you don’t have a dedicated teacher or a way to learn it in practice. To that effect, The 2022 Premium Project Management Super Prep Bundle could help you learn basic and advanced project management skills, and for a limited time, it’s only $59.99 (Reg. $999).
The role of a project manager involves a diverse skill-set that tends to shift depending on the job or industry it’s applied to. Start developing core project management skills as this bundle leads you through real-world scenarios with study aids and tips, and gives you access to helpful learning tools. Whether you have your eyes on a position as a team leader, an IT manager, or many other Project Management positions, this bundle could be helpful in showing you the ropes early on.
Courses are taught by professionals from Integrity Training, a source for many professional training courses. All materials are available to you for life, so you can learn and internalize new skills at your own pace. Take your time working through all 47 lessons contained in this bundle, accessible from a desktop or mobile device.
This course claims to cater to all experience levels, so whether you’re completely new to project management or have some experience under your belt, you may have something interesting to learn.
Whether you are just starting or need a refresher, this bundle may be able to help you internalize what it takes to be a project manager, a set of skills that could be useful across fields and disciplines. For a limited time, get The 2022 Premium Project Management Super Prep Bundle on sale for $59.99 (Reg. $999), a discount of 93%.
Prices subject to change.
![The 2022 Premium Project Management Super Prep Bundle.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01fyGk8EI89E9ZtFnyrMDtZ/images-1.fit_lim.size_256x.jpg)
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The 2022 Premium Project Management Super Prep Bundle
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Get a pair of open-ear headphones for $80 off
![Person wearing a pair of Exobone Open-Ear Conduction Headphones.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05lUXmED5agj1If6feKig4H/hero-image.jpg)
TL;DR: As of July 31, you can a pair of Exobone Open-Ear Conduction Headphones for just $76.99 instead of $157 — that’s a 50% discount.
As much as it’s fun to listen to music while running or hiking, it may not always be the safest thing to do if you can’t hear your surroundings while you’re actively moving through them. However, you can still enjoy your tunes without tuning out the world. A pair of Exobone Open-Ear Conduction Headphones can let you listen to music without blocking out the sounds of the world around you, and for a limited time, they’re $80 off at only $76.99 (Reg. $157).
Exobones use a two-speaker system to play music directly through the ear canal without obscuring other noises. They work by sending sound past the eardrum directly into your inner ear. It could be a convenient way to enjoy your favorite music or podcasts without missing out on the sound of the world around you.
Exobone Open-Ear Conduction headphones are lightweight (less than one ounce), wireless, rechargeable, and feature a sleek design. The bud-free foldable design could be a comfort compared to some bulkier headphones or in-ear headphones. If there’s some moisture while you’re running, you don’t have to sweat it. These headphones are rainproof, though you don’t want to fully submerge them in water. If you get a call while you’re using your Exobones, you can accept or deny it using built-in controls. It even has a mic so you don’t have to switch to another or break your stride.
All of this culminates in a device that could be an excellent pair if you like to have a soundtrack for your workout or just want to keep some situational awareness while you listen.
For a limited time, you can get a pair of bone conduction headphones for $80 off. The Exobone Open-Ear Conduction Headphones are on sale for $76.99 (Reg. $157).
Prices subject to change.
![Exobone Open-Ear Conduction Headphones on a white background.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05lUXmED5agj1If6feKig4H/images-1.fit_lim.size_256x.jpg)
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Exobone Open-Ear Conduction Headphones
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This compact personal air conditioner is on sale for $99
![EvaChill EV-500 Personal Air Conditioner + Cartridge on a desk.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06hVOL0h5oyZPpbVYQGgPT5/hero-image.jpg)
TL;DR: As of July 31, you can get the EvaChill EV-500 Personal Air Conditioner + Cartridge for just $99 instead of $128 — that’s a 22% discount.
In much of the country, the heat wave continues. With summer temperatures at this much of a sustained high, you might be looking for a way to cool off that doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet (literally). The EvaChill EV-500 Personal Air Conditioner + Cartridge, which we’ve featured before, is a compact, portable air conditioner that can cool a small area and may be what keeps you comfortable as temperatures stay stubbornly high. Right now, the EvaChill plus a replacement cartridge is on sale for only $99 (Reg. $128).
Fighting back against the worldwide heatwave isn’t exactly cheap, especially if you’re trying to cool your whole home. Some predictions pose a 20% increase in electric bills just to stay cool. Instead of paying out the nose to stop sweating, you can focus on a small area with a more directed cooling solution.
This compact personal air conditioner is built to be fast-acting, reaching full cooling power within 10 minutes. Once it’s at full power, you should enjoy cool air within the direction of the EvaChill’s airflow. Though it’s small, you can still use the EvaChill to cool off the area around your bed to fight back against these hot summer nights. Pair it with some cooling sheets, and you could still have a restful slumber during the heatwave.
As it cools, the EvaChill also filters for dust particles and humidifies the air. Fill the water tank once, and you’re set for three to eight hours to enjoy cleaner air that is designed to feel less dry. This model also comes with a spare cooling cartridge. Each cartridge has a life expectancy of up to six months, so just this deal can get you everything you need for up to a year of portable air conditioning.
There may be a more affordable way to keep cool this summer. For a limited time, get the EvaChill EV-500 Personal Air Conditioner + Cartridge on sale for $99 (Reg. $128).
Prices subject to change.
![EvaChill EV-500 Personal Air Conditioner + Cartridge on a white background.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06hVOL0h5oyZPpbVYQGgPT5/images-1.fit_lim.size_256x.jpg)
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EvaChill EV-500 Personal Air Conditioner + Cartridge
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Give your eyes a break with this hot-and-cold sleep mask on sale
![Person wearing the Bamboo Sleep Eye Mask on an airplane.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00Y3lgpB75nKedkBv4as6Wg/hero-image.jpg)
TL;DR: As of July 31, you can get the Bamboo Sleep Eye Mask for just $32.99 instead of $69.99 — that’s a 52% discount.
However the day goes, you can likely rely on ending it in bed, but is your body getting the most out of your rest? Dry, puffy eyes aren’t uncommon, but they can certainly be frustrating to deal with. However, with the Bamboo Sleep Eye Mask, you may be able to give your eyes some rehabilitation beyond your normal sleep.
The Bamboo Sleep Eye Mask is detachable, washable, and reusable for hot and cold treatments. Give your eyes a gentle, warm relief by warming your mask before you wear it. Gentle application of heat has actually been shown to help relieve dry eye, and the detachable hot and cold compress that comes with this mask is easy to heat and apply. Filled with silica beads, you can also cool the compress which can help relieve puffiness and, in some cases, even cut down on dark circles under the eye.
Made from a soft plush cushion with a cooling bamboo filter, this mask can block out light for potentially easier sleep. Since it’s fully reversible, you can wear your mask with the warm, soft side or the cool, bamboo filter for help cooling down. Either way, this mask reportedly can block out all light and should distribute a gentle, weighted sensation around your eyes, like a weighted blanket for your face.
Do you feel like you get enough rest when you sleep, or do you wake up with dry, puffy eyes after a hard time drifting off? The Bamboo Sleep Eye Mask is designed to help with each of those issues.
Give yourself every chance at a more restful sleep and a more pleasant feeling when you wake. For a limited time, get the Bamboo Sleep Eye Mask on sale for $32.99 (Reg. $69).
Prices subject to change.
![Bamboo Sleep Eye Mask on a white background.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00Y3lgpB75nKedkBv4as6Wg/images-1.fit_lim.size_256x.jpg)
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This boombox speaker could DJ your whole party, and it’s 40% off
![Person carrying the Altec Rockbox XL Speaker.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05eQ1M5s8szpR0PTQfYuvax/hero-image.jpg)
TL;DR: As of July 31, you can get the Altec Rockbox XL Speaker for just $119.99 instead of $199.99 — that’s a 40% discount.
Music may be the life of the party, but isn’t the real hero the speaker? The Altec Rockbox XL Speaker is a party waiting to happen with its heavy sound, super-long battery life, and waterproof design, and it’s only $119.99 (Reg. $199) for a limited time.
If you’re shopping for a powerful portable speaker, you’ve probably run into JBL boombox speakers. You probably also noticed they’re $500. The Altec Rockbox is a more affordable alternative that packs just as much power.
Heading to the pool? Take the music with you. This speaker is IP67 waterproof and floats. Need some aesthetic lighting to raise the vibes? Turn on the five built-in LEDs that dance, blink, and flicker to the beat of your music.
You can even pair multiple devices using multi-speaker pairing mode. It’s a lot like having a DJ you can carry around, only this DJ has a 12-hour battery life and a wireless range of 100 feet. Pair your phone via Bluetooth or the NFC connection point and start playing some tunes. If you get a call, you can even answer or ignore it from the speaker controls.
This is one of those deals that might seem a little too good to be true, but this Altec Rockbox XL is coming in cheaper because it’s Factory Remanufactured. All that means is that the box had been opened before it was sold. Whether it was even removed from the box is unclear and likely unimportant because it was tested and checked to make sure it works exactly as it should.
You may not need to drop $500 on a speaker when you can get one that’s just as good for a fraction of the price. For a limited time, get the Altec Rockbox XL Speaker on sale for $119.99 (Reg. $199).
Prices subject to change.
![Altec Rockbox XL Speaker on a white background.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05eQ1M5s8szpR0PTQfYuvax/images-1.fit_lim.size_256x.jpg)
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