Tag: Automatic

Categories
Computers

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine Review: Quiet and Compact

[ad_1]

KitchenAid is a brand that’s had a place in every home kitchen I’ve ever had, even growing up. When I bought my own KitchenAid stand mixer for the first time after college, my apartment finally felt like a place where a grown-up lived. My affection for that stand mixer cannot be overstated, so naturally my ears perked up when KitchenAid announced it was revamping its espresso machine lineup.

There are three new fully automatic espresso machines: the KF8, KF7, and KF6. Then there’s the KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine, plus a 2-in-1 with a built-in burr grinder. I love a good fully automatic espresso machine for its expedience and ease, but there’s a part of me that just craves the practiced ritual of brewing your own espresso at home. The first of these machines to make their way to my doorstep was the Semi Automatic, so here we are. Keep an eye out for my review of the automatics soon.

Considerate Counter Footprint

I’m a lifelong apartment-dweller, and one of the many lessons I’ve learned from a life spent apartment-hopping is the value of counter space. When I set the KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine on my counter for the first time, I couldn’t help but smile.

This is a fully-featured espresso machine with a built-in burr grinder, and it fits in the area previously occupied by my rice cooker—a strip of counter too narrow for other practical uses. This machine is narrow, clocking in at about 13 inches wide and 15 inches tall. It fits comfortably, with room to spare, underneath my somewhat low-hanging kitchen cabinets.

Silver espresso machine on kitchen counter

Photograph: Jaina Grey

Because of the tight space in my kitchen, it’s sometimes hard to access the water tank on the back of espresso machines I test. Usually, I have to either wrestle to remove the tank and bring it to the faucet, or resign myself to filling it by carrying cup after cup from my sink to the machine. The KitchenAid Semi Automatic effortlessly navigates that little stumbling block by having wheels on the bottom. I can just pull the machine away from the wall, turn it sideways, and fully remove the water tank.

I initially worried the machine would be too slippery with wheels, making it hard to tighten the portafilter into place without the whole thing sliding all the time. Thankfully, the wheels are smooth but they do require a little muscle to move—a good thing. To twist the portafilter in place, you still have to brace it with one hand, but you typically have to do that with small espresso machines anyway.

The wheels also make it so much easier to clean under and behind the machine. I’m currently testing another espresso machine on my other countertop, and it’s so heavy that moving it to clean up any spilled grounds or ultrafine coffee dust that’s accumulated behind the machine is a huge pain. A literal pain, given my chronic back issues.

Whisper Quiet

This KitchenAid machine features a certification from Quiet Mark, meaning it’s been tested to ensure it’s as quiet as possible (there’s a cute little Q sticker on the front of the machine). I was skeptical because even quiet grinders can get pretty loud. I was wrong. This Semi Automatic just might be the quietest espresso machine I’ve ever tested.

Grinding the beans produces only a little mechanical whirr sound. It’s quiet enough that you can continue to have a conversation while it grinds—a test every other grinder that’s come through my kitchen has failed, even the quiet ones. The grinder is also remarkably consistent. It produces grounds fine enough for espresso and coarse enough for other brewing methods. I think it can fully replace a countertop coffee grinder, no matter what kind of other coffee you like brewing.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Categories
News

QwikPress automatic heat press studio designed for precision and safety

QwikPress heat press for hobbyists and makers

Makers, designers and hobbyists searching for an automatic hot press may be interested in the QwikPress Enclosed Heat Press Studio. A device designed for safe and precise heat pressing operations, offering a range of features that cater to the needs of users looking to work with various materials and create custom imprints. You need a tool that’s not only safe but also precise and versatile.

At the heart of the QwikPress is its enclosed structure. This is a big deal for your safety because it reduces the risk of burns and injuries. You can focus on your work without worrying about accidents. The enclosure also helps the machine work better by making sure the heat is applied consistently during transfers.

Early bird deals are now available for the interesting project from roughly $199 or £157 (depending on current exchange rates). One of the best things about the QwikPress is that it adjusts the pressure for you. It’s smart enough to figure out how much pressure is needed based on how thick your material is. This means you get a perfect imprint every time, without having to mess around with settings. It’s a real time-saver and makes your work a lot easier.

QwikPress working dimensions

QwikPress Enclosed Heat Press Studio

The heating plate on this machine is designed to spread the heat evenly. This is super important because it means you’ll get reliable imprints on all your projects. The workspace is pretty big, too—38×38 cm—so you can work on all sorts of items, even those that are up to 2 cm thick. This gives you the freedom to be creative with a variety of materials.

QwikPress features

Using the QwikPress is a breeze, thanks to its LED touchscreen interface. You can change the temperature and time settings quickly, and there’s even a button to switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit. This means you can work in the measurement system you’re most comfortable with.

Assuming that the QwikPress funding campaign successfully raises its required pledge goal and the project completion progresses smoothly, worldwide shipping is expected to take place sometime around August 2024. To learn more about the QwikPress heat press studio project sift the promotional video below.

The QwikPress is also really versatile. It can handle lots of different materials, from fabric to wood. This means you can put custom imprints on T-shirts, mouse pads, tote bags, phone cases, and more. Plus, the way the machine is set up, with separate areas for placing materials and pressing them, makes it safer and more comfortable to use.

For anyone who makes personalized items, the QwikPress Enclosed Heat Press Studio is a tool that can make a big difference. It’s designed with your safety in mind, and features like automatic pressure adjustment, even heating, a spacious workspace, and the ability to work with many materials make it a valuable addition to your creative space. With the QwikPress, bringing your custom designs to life is easier and the results look more professional.

For a complete list of all available early bird pledges, stretch goals, extra media and product specifications for the heat press studio, jump over to the official QwikPress crowd funding campaign page by visiting the link below.

Source : Kickstarter

Disclaimer: Participating in Kickstarter campaigns involves inherent risks. While many projects successfully meet their goals, others may fail to deliver due to numerous challenges. Always conduct thorough research and exercise caution when pledging your hard-earned money.

Filed Under: Hardware, Top News





Latest timeswonderful Deals

Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, timeswonderful may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.

Categories
News

Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge – 75% faster than Automatic 1111

Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge up to 75% faster than Automatic 1111

A new user interface in the form of Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge, has been released providing users with a significant advancement in the realm of image synthesis and manipulation. Forge has been specifically designed to enhance the functionality and efficiency of the original Stable Diffusion WebUI, which is built upon the Gradio framework. The WebUI Forge interface is designed to significantly speed up operations, making it a vital addition to the toolkit of both professionals and enthusiasts. Stability AI of also this week introduced it’s new Stable Cascade AI art generator.

This guide will provide an overview of the new user interface, highlighting its inspiration, improvements in performance, and added functionalities, along with guidance on installation for those looking to integrate it into their workflow. The naming and conceptual foundation of Forge draw inspiration from Minecraft Forge, a popular modding platform that facilitates the creation, management, and installation of mods for Minecraft. Similarly, Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge aims to serve as a foundational layer for the Stable Diffusion ecosystem, enhancing the development experience, optimizing resource usage, and accelerating the inference process for creators and developers alike.

Improved performance

One of the key advantages of using Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge is the significant improvement in performance metrics across various hardware configurations. Users with common GPUs, such as those with 8GB of VRAM, can expect inference speed improvements ranging from 30% to 45%. Additionally, Forge optimizes GPU memory usage, reducing the peak memory footprint by 700MB to 1.3GB.

This optimization not only accelerates the processing time but also enables higher resolutions and larger batch sizes for diffusion tasks without running into out-of-memory (OOM) errors. Similarly, improvements are observed with less powerful and more powerful GPU setups, with varying degrees of speed-up in inference speed, reductions in GPU memory usage, and enhancements in diffusion resolution and batch size capabilities.

Forge UI – 75% faster than Automatic 1111

The benefits of using Forge UI are immediately apparent, with users reporting impressive speed increases that vary depending on their hardware capabilities. For instance, individuals with an 8 GB VRAM GPU have experienced a 30-45% acceleration in their processes. Those with a 6 GB VRAM GPU have seen even more dramatic improvements, with a 60-75% increase in speed. And it’s not just those with less powerful GPUs who benefit; even the most advanced 24 GB VRAM GPUs enjoy a 3-6% boost. These enhancements are not merely theoretical; they have practical implications, allowing users to complete projects more quickly and efficiently.

Forge also broadens the range of samplers available to users, adding options like DDPM, DDPM Karras, DPM++ 2M Turbo, and several others. These samplers extend the versatility and quality of image generation, offering users a wider array of choices to suit their specific needs and preferences.

A notable innovation within Forge is the introduction of the Unet Patcher. This tool facilitates the implementation of advanced methods such as Self-Attention Guidance, Kohya High Res Fix, and others with minimal coding effort—about 100 lines of code. The Unet Patcher eliminates the need for complicated modifications to the UNet architecture, thereby avoiding conflicts with other extensions and streamlining the development process. With this addition, users can explore new functionalities like SVD, Z123, masked Ip-adapter, and more, enhancing the creative possibilities and technical capabilities available within the Stable Diffusion framework.

Installation

The ease of setting up Forge UI is another aspect that users appreciate. The process is straightforward: one simply needs to download the installation package from the official GitHub repository, extract the files, and run the batch files. This simplicity extends to customization as well. Users can delve into the web UI folder to adjust various settings, such as themes and file paths, ensuring that the interface meets their specific requirements.

For those interested in integrating Forge into their existing Stable Diffusion setup, the process requires a degree of proficiency with Git. The installation involves setting up Forge as an additional branch of the SD-WebUI, allowing users to leverage all previously installed SD checkpoints and extensions. This approach ensures a seamless transition to Forge, preserving the functionality and customizations of the original WebUI while unlocking the enhanced capabilities of Forge.

Additional features

Forge UI distinguishes itself from other interfaces with its suite of additional features. It includes specialized tabs for training and SVD, as well as integrated tools like ControlNet, dynamic thresholding, and latent modifiers. These tools offer users an unprecedented level of control and flexibility, surpassing what is available in other interfaces, such as Automatic 1111. Moreover, the ability to create masks directly within Forge UI provides users with new avenues for precision and creativity in their projects.

It should be noted that while Forge UI is comprehensive, there is a need to download certain models, like ControlNet models, separately. This extra step is a minor inconvenience when weighed against the creative freedom and versatility that Forge UI provides. By allowing the application of different ControlNets to specific areas of an image, users can tailor their projects with greater specificity.

Features of Forge

Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge has been designed to serve as a foundational layer for Stable Diffusion, facilitating easier development, optimized resource management, and faster inference.

  • Performance Enhancements:
    • Significant speed-up in inference speed across different GPUs.
    • Reduced GPU memory peak, allowing for more efficient resource usage.
    • Increased maximum diffusion resolution without encountering out-of-memory (OOM) errors.
    • Larger maximum diffusion batch sizes achievable without OOM.
  • Unet Patcher:
    • Simplifies the implementation of advanced methods like Self-Attention Guidance and Kohya High Res Fix with approximately 100 lines of code.
    • Avoids the need for complicated UNet modifications, preventing conflicts with other extensions.
  • New Functionalities Supported:
    • Introduction of features such as SVD, Z123, masked Ip-adapter, masked controlnet, photomaker, and more.
    • Enables the use of advanced image synthesis and manipulation techniques within the Forge platform.
  • Additional Samplers:
    • Extends the range of available samplers, including DDPM, DDPM Karras, DPM++ 2M Turbo, and several others.
    • Offers users a greater variety of options for image generation to suit specific needs and preferences.
  • User Interface Integrity:
    • Maintains the original user interface design of Automatic1111 WebUI, ensuring a familiar and intuitive experience for users.
    • Commits to not introducing unnecessary or opinionated changes to the user interface.
  • Installation for Advanced Users:
    • Provides guidance for proficient Git users to install Forge as an additional branch of SD-WebUI.
    • Enables seamless integration with existing SD checkpoints and extensions, preserving customizations while offering enhanced capabilities.

The new Forge user interface is more than a simple user interface; it is a robust enhancement for anyone engaged in Stable Diffusion processes. With its notable speed improvements, easy installation, and extensive features, Forge UI is designed to optimize and refine your workflow. It offers an efficient, adaptable, and time-saving solution that is poised to take your stable diffusion projects to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an avid enthusiast, Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge is a tool that can help you unlock new potentials in your work, ensuring that you stay ahead in the competitive and ever-evolving landscape of technology.

Filed Under: Technology News, Top News





Latest timeswonderful Deals

Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, timeswonderful may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.

Categories
News

How to turn off Automatic Updates on Android Phones

Automatic Updates on Android Phones

This guide is designed to walk you through the process of disabling automatic updates for both the operating system (OS) and individual apps on your Android phone. It’s a well-known fact that Android devices routinely receive automatic updates. These updates are integral for maintaining the security and stability of both your phone’s operating system and the apps you use daily.

They ensure that you have the latest features and that any known bugs or vulnerabilities are promptly addressed. However, there are instances when having total control over these updates is necessary. You might prefer to manage updates manually to avoid unexpected data usage, to maintain a stable version of an app you rely on, or simply to have a better handle on what changes are being made to your device. Whatever your reason, understanding how to take charge of these updates can be a crucial aspect of managing your Android device effectively.

Disabling Android OS Updates:

  1. Open Settings: Locate and tap the gear icon on your home screen or app drawer.
  2. Navigate to Software Update: The location might vary slightly depending on your phone model. Look for options like “System,” “About Phone,” or “Software Update.”
  3. Access Advanced Settings: Tap the three dots or a cog icon usually located in the top right corner.
  4. Turn Off Auto Downloads: Select “Auto Download & Install” and choose “Do Not Allow.” This prevents automatic downloads and installations of OS updates.
  5. Optional: Disable Wi-Fi Downloading: To further control updates, uncheck “Download over Wi-Fi only” if present. This ensures updates won’t automatically download even when connected to Wi-Fi.

Disabling App Updates in Google Play Store:

  1. Launch Google Play Store: Open the Play Store app.
  2. Tap your Profile Picture: Look for the icon representing your account in the top right corner.
  3. Open Settings: Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
  4. Choose Auto-update Apps: Locate and tap this option under “General.”
  5. Select Update Preference: Choose “Don’t auto-update apps” to disable automatic updates for all apps.
  6. Optional: Manage Individual App Updates: For more granular control, tap “Manage apps & device” in Settings. Select “Manage,” then choose the app you want to control. Tap the three dots in the top right corner and uncheck “Enable auto-update.”

Important Considerations:

  • Disabling automatic updates for the OS can leave your phone vulnerable to security exploits and bugs. It’s recommended to update manually at regular intervals.
  • Individual app updates might be crucial for bug fixes and improved functionality. Consider manually updating important apps regularly.
  • Some phone manufacturers or carriers might have slightly different settings menus. Refer to your device manual or manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.

Bonus Tips:

  • You can schedule Wi-Fi updates for the OS by tapping “Advanced Settings” in Software Update and choosing “Schedule system update.
  • Monitoring data usage during app updates can be helpful. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile data, and track data usage by individual apps.
  • Be cautious when downloading and installing APKs from third-party sources. Stick to the official Google Play Store for secure app updates.

By following this guide and understanding the considerations, by doing so, you are taking a proactive step towards maintaining complete control over your device’s software environment. It’s important to recognize that responsible management of these updates is a balancing act. On one hand, it’s about ensuring the security of your device – keeping it safeguarded against potential threats that are often addressed in these updates. On the other hand, it’s about tailoring your user experience to suit your personal or professional needs, which might mean delaying or selectively choosing when to update.

This process involves more than just flipping a switch. It requires a thoughtful approach where you weigh the benefits of immediate updates against the need for stability or consistency in your device’s performance. It’s about understanding the implications of each update, whether it’s a minor tweak in an app or a significant overhaul of the operating system. By mastering this control, you not only enhance your device’s functionality but also deepen your connection and understanding of the technology in your hands.

So, as you follow through with the steps laid out in this guide, keep in mind that you are not just adjusting settings, but are also crafting a customized, secure, and stable mobile experience that aligns with your individual needs and usage patterns.

Filed Under: Android News, Guides, Mobile Phone News





Latest timeswonderful Deals

Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, timeswonderful may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.