We go about our day-to-day lives attached to our phones. They wake us up in the morning, and we check our emails and social media as soon as we open our eyes. We spend a big chunk of the day glued to a screen, be it a computer, laptop or phone. In fact, nearly half of smartphone users in the US say they can't imagine life without their phones.

According to a February 2021 survey, 46% of respondents said they spend an average of 5 to 6 hours a day on their phones for non-work-related use. Another study conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that, on average, Americans spend around 3 hours a day watching TV. 

It's safe to say that we've become heavily dependent on our phones for pretty much everything. But, how is the use of technology affecting our mental health? And what can we do to offset that dependency?

Many have turned to digital detoxes as a way to disconnect from technology. Research links digital detoxes to the improvement of depression symptoms, among other mental health benefits. Ready to try a digital detox? Here's what you need to know.

What is a digital detox?

A digital detox is when you completely abstain or intentionally reduce your time using electronic devices like smartphones, computers, TVs and tablets. The idea of a digital detox is to disconnect from the online world to focus more on the present moment without distractions. The most common things people avoid during a digital detox include:

• Emails
  
• Text messages
  
• Video games
  
• Watching TV
  
• Smartphones, tablets, laptops and computers
  

What is a social media detox?

Like a digital detox, a social media detox is when someone refrains from engaging with or using social media for a period of time or indefinitely to improve their mental health and well-being. It's one of the most popular forms of digital detox.

A quantitative study conducted on college students who underwent social media detoxes that lasted from one to seven days found that most students reported positive changes in mood, better productivity, improved sleep and reduced anxiety.

Another study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that limiting social media to 30 minutes a day can significantly improve one's overall well-being.

How social media affects mental health

There's no denying we benefit a lot from social media. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok keep us connected to friends and family while also serving as an outlet to find inspiring people. However, the constant comparison, fear of missing out and highly curated content we're exposed to on social media can come with some drawbacks.

A 2020 systematic review linked social media to detrimental effects on the mental health of its users. The same study found that those people's levels of anxiety and depression are affected by social media envy -- being envious of someone else's life as perceived on social media.

"Time spent scrolling through social media has the potential to promote unreasonable expectations as we see influencers posting an often filtered and edited version of their seemingly perfect lives. This can trigger feelings that others are having more fun or living better lives than you are, potentially causing a negative impact on your mental health. The increasing popularity of photo filters has also been linked to poor self-esteem and self-image as we manipulate our photos to change our reality online," says Myra Altman, who holds a PhD and is VP of Clinical Care at Modern Health. 

Benefits of a digital detox

There may be personal reasons to consider a digital detox. It could be that you feel like technology is a distraction, or you just need some time away from the stressors of the online world. Whatever the reason may be, you are sure to see many benefits from taking a break from technology.

Here are some of the most common benefits of a digital detox.

Reduced anxiety and depression

According to a recent study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, a social media break of just a week can reduce anxiety and depression. The same study found causal evidence that even short breaks from social media can positively impact a person's overall well-being, life satisfaction and emotions.

Enhanced focus and increased productivity

This one should come as no surprise. When we are free from distractions, we allow ourselves to be more present. Mindless scrolling on social media, checking notifications on your phone and feeling the urge to reply immediately to emails are time consumers. When we set aside distractions, we allow more time to focus on our responsibilities. 

Improved sleep

Disconnecting from electronic devices a few hours before going to sleep can significantly improve our quality of sleep. One study found that people who used social media before bed were more likely to have anxiety, insomnia and short sleep duration on weeknights.

Avoiding screen time before bed also reduces our exposure to blue light, which has been associated with disrupted sleep.

Meaningful connections in real life

Think about the last time you were anywhere alone at the doctor's office, standing in line at the grocery store or waiting for your friend at a table in a restaurant. How much of that time was spent glued to your phone? The answer is probably a lot. 

A small 2019 study found that smartphones alter the fabric of social interactions. In the experiment, a group of strangers was put in a waiting room with or without their phones. The study found that those who had their phones present were less likely to smile at someone compared to those without a phone.

Setting your phone aside can help you stay engaged with those around you.

More time for things that bring you joy

Have you ever thought about how many times a day you pick up your phone to check your emails, respond to messages and check social media? According to a survey conducted by Asurion, a global tech care company, respondents checked their phones on average 96 times a day. To put that in perspective, that's once every 10 minutes.

"One reason to consider a social media detox is to regain authority in your life and time. Many people find themselves scrolling for hours a day and then feel unproductive, leading to anxiety and depression. A detox can help put a pause on social media consumption and allow you to regain interest in other hobbies that bring happiness. The detox can also allow you the time you need to be with those you love in real life," says Raghu Kiran Appasani, MD Psychiatry and Founder and CEO of The MINDS Foundation. 

Signs that you might need a break from technology

If you made your way to this page, chances are you are already considering a digital detox -- which is a sign itself that you might need a break from your electronic devices. The best way to know you need a digital detox is to check in with yourself and see how interacting with social media and technology makes you feel.

• If you feel any of the following when engaging with the online world, it's time to say goodbye (for now) to technology:
  
• Anxiety, stress or depression after checking social media
  
• Social withdrawal
  
• Urge to check your phone every few minutes
  
• Trouble concentrating and staying focused on the task at hand
  
• Imposter syndrome or feeling insecure about where you are in life
  
• Disrupted sleep
  
• Feeling obligated to respond immediately to emails and text messages
  

How to do a digital detox

If you're ready for a digital detox challenge but aren't sure where to start, we got you. It's important to remember why you're detoxing from your digital devices in the first place. The goal is to create boundaries that ensure you're using technology in a way that benefits and works for you. Ultimately, you want to feel good about the time you are dedicating online.

Set realistic goals

A digital detox can be anything you want it to be. It can be refraining from using any type of technology, disconnecting from social media or just limiting daily screen time. The most important thing to keep in mind is that whatever you want to achieve has to be realistic. For example, if your work requires you to be in front of a computer all day, it may not be wise to set a goal that won't allow you access to your computer. Instead, you can opt to set screen time limits on your free time.

Create healthy boundaries and limits

Sometimes disconnecting completely from electronic devices isn't possible, but setting boundaries is a great way to limit how much time we spend on electronic devices. 

Here are some ideas of other times you can create limits for:

• When working out: If you want to get the most out of your workout, try to avoid any distractions. If you like to listen to music while doing so, you can download your music beforehand and set your phone to airplane mode so that you don't get any notifications.
  
• Before going to sleep: Smartphones were designed to keep us alert and productive, so the last thing we want is to bombard our brains with more information. Sleep experts recommend cutting off screen time 30 minutes to 1 hour before bed.
  
• When waking up: You never know what you will encounter when you look at your phone. Seeing bad news as soon as you wake up can trigger your stress response and leave you feeling anxious all day. Allow yourself some time to wake up without outside distractions and enjoy the present moment.
  
• While enjoying a meal: If you're scrolling through your phone while you eat, you may not be aware of how much you are eating and miss your body's cue that it is full. Instead, you can practice mindful eating and savor every moment of your meal.
  
• When spending time with the people you love: It's good to keep your phone away or silent when socializing and spending time with people. When you limit your distractions, you can have deeper and more meaningful conversations.
  

Occupy yourself with things that nourish your mind and body

You've decided to do a digital detox, you put away your phone, now what? It's easy to give in to checking your phone if you are bored, so you'll want to fill in this extra time with things that make you feel good.

If you are having a hard time figuring out what to do with your extra time, here are some ideas.

• Pick up a new hobby, something you've always wanted to try.
  
• Go for a walk or a hike
  
• Call a family member you haven't talked to in a while
  
• Go for coffee with a friend
  
• Read a new book (or reread your favorite one)
  
• Journal about how you're feeling right now
  
• Volunteer at a local charity that is doing important work
  
• Learn to cook a new recipe
  
• Sign up for an exercise class like kick-boxing, yoga or pilates
  
• Meditate or practice mindful breathing 
  

Reward yourself for following through

It's easier to stay motivated when looking forward to something, so take this opportunity to celebrate your wins by rewarding yourself. It doesn't have to be something grand (though it can be if you want); it can be as simple as cooking your favorite meal or taking yourself out to the movies. Whatever you decide your reward should be, make sure it's something that excites you.

Tips for your digital detox

Some people will find it fairly easy to disconnect from digital devices, while others may find it more challenging. Luckily, there are some things you can do before you go off the grid to ensure that you have a successful digital detox.

• If you're doing a social media detox, delete the apps from your phone and sign out from your account on your computer, laptop or tablet.
  
• Let your friends and family know about your detox and the best ways for them to contact you and provide support.
  
• Schedule activities to keep you busy beforehand.
  
• Track your progress. You can write down how you're feeling each day, seeing tangible progress may keep you motivated.
  
• Mute or turn off notifications on your phone and computer
  
• Designate tech-free zones in your house, like your bedroom or dining room.
  
• Remember why you started. If you feel the need to check your phone throughout your detox, think of how you felt before starting and why you decided to take a break.
  

Be patient with yourself

Deciding to disconnect from the digital world can make you feel anxious or even scared of missing out on important things, and it's okay to feel that way. As the days go by, you'll start to feel better about yourself and have a deeper understanding of your relationship with technology. Take the time to enjoy being present and do things that bring you happiness.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

The Windows 10 May 2021 Update (also known as version 21H1) started rolling out to compatible devices last Tuesday, Microsoft said in a blog post. The operating system update is the latest since the October 2020 update, and includes a few new features like Windows Hello multicamera support and security fixes. (If you're running Windows 7 ($5 at Target), you can still download Windows 10 free to get the May 2021 update and avoid security issues.)

While there are a few useful new features, it seems that Microsoft is using this smaller update cycle to prepare for a larger Windows 10 UI update, reportedly code-named Sun Valley, that will be part of Microsoft's renewed focus on Windows 10 that executives mentioned last year. On Wednesday at the Microsoft Build developer's conference, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella teased the next update, saying the company is planning "one of the most significant updates of Windows of the past decade," and that Microsoft plans to unveil the new version "very soon."

We won't know exactly what that update includes until it's formally revealed, but we've collected some rumors below. 

Read more: The best antivirus protection of 2021 for Windows 10 

Here's what to know about Windows 10 version 21H1, and what it could mean for the future of the OS. 

What is Windows 10 version 21H1?

Windows 10 version 21H1 is Microsoft's latest update to the OS, and started rolling out on May 18. It's also called the Windows 10 May 2021 update. 

Usually, Microsoft releases a larger feature update in the spring and a smaller one in the fall. But version 21H1, though a spring update, is a more minor update rather than an overhaul. 

Read more: Windows 10 tips: Secret Start menu, taking screenshots and more

What new features does the Windows 10 May 2021 update include?

According to a February Microsoft blog post, new Windows 10 features include:

• Multicamera support for Windows Hello, allowing users to choose an external camera when using high-end displays with integrated cameras.
• Improvements to Windows Defender Application Guard, including optimizing document opening scenario times.
• Improvements to Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC) updating, to support remote work. 

"The features we are releasing in this update are focused on the core experiences that customers have told us they're relying on most right now," the post said. "So, we optimized this release to support our customers' most pressing needs." 

According to Digital Trends, the update also includes new icons, updated settings pages and some tweaks to Cortana and the search box experience. 

How can I download the Windows 10 May 2021 update?

The May 2021 update began rolling out on May 18 to select devices, starting with those running Windows 10 version 2004 or later. Not all devices will be offered the update right away, so try to be patient until it reaches yours. There also may be some compatibility issues, according to Microsoft's blog post -- if that happens, Microsoft has a safeguard hold in place and will not offer you the update until the team is confident that you'll have a good update experience.

When the May 2021 update is available to you, you'll be able to download it by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking Check for Updates. If available, you'll see Feature update to Windows 10, version 21H1. Click Download and install. 

This marks the first time an H1 (first half of the calendar year) feature update is being delivered using Microsoft's servicing technology. That means it'll arrive the same way that monthly Windows 10 updates do. It's also the same way the October 2020 update was released. If you're already running either Windows 10 version 2004 or version 20H2, it'll be a fast installation process to get the newest update.

What's this bigger Windows 10 update that could be coming next? 

On an October 2020 earnings call, Nadella said that Microsoft is "doubling down" on Windows and PCs, and will continue to innovate. 

This could take the form of a major OS update for Windows 10 later this year that would bring a major design refresh to the UI, according to a report from Windows Central. The update, reportedly code-named Sun Valley, could bring a redesigned Start menu, Action Center and File Explorer, with a more modern look and new features. Sun Valley is expected to be released around the 2021 holiday season, Windows Central says, but that could change. 

Again, at the Microsoft Build conference on May 25, Nadella teased the next Windows 10 update, saying the company is planning "one of the most significant updates of Windows of the past decade," and that Microsoft plans to unveil the new version "very soon."

Another factor: Microsoft said that its Windows 10X OS designed for dual-screen devices like the Surface Duo and the Surface Neo will not come to market this year, as Microsoft originally intended. Instead, Microsoft will build parts of that technology into other parts of Windows and products from the company, the May 18 blog post said.

For more, check out the best three new features in the Windows 10 October 2020 update and six simple security changes all Windows 10 users need to make. 

Midway through Facebook's full-day outage on Tuesday, I realized I needed to try getting into VR. I saw a few joke tweets suggesting people were trapped in the metaverse, and I thought to myself... what happens to an Oculus Quest when Facebook is down? Would Facebook's new camera-studded sunglasses still work? With Facebook's focus increasingly turned to a virtual and augmented reality-driven future of work and communication, amid all sorts of already-shaky problems with its platform, it's a question you might be having too.

The answer is: a weird and unfortunate mix. My Oculus headset still started up, and it still brought up a familiar virtual living room and showed me the list of apps I had installed. But Facebook's services underneath were gone. No app store. No avatars. No Facebook friends. Even the app icon graphics weren't loading.

But I could start games I had downloaded, no problem. I booted up Walkabout Mini Golf and played a hole or two; I even connected to randomly play with someone else online. I loaded Microsoft's Altspace VR and found a meditation class midsession, avatars floating around like everything was just fine.

The Oculus Quest 2, which requires a Facebook login to work, is sort of half in and half out of Facebook's cloud universe. A lot of the Quest is an Android-based piece of hardware that downloads apps and works like a game console. But what happens when Facebook's always-connected ties extend even further through the Oculus OS, when Facebook's dream of a metaverse layer of software becomes possibly the replacement to apps as we know them now? What happens when Facebook finally makes the cloud-connected, AI-driven AR glasses it is on a clear trajectory to deliver this decade?

I put Facebook's newest Ray-Ban smart glasses on my face next -- the photo-taking, audio-connected sunglasses released last month -- but I didn't get very far. The Facebook-connected app on my phone, which is the only place the glasses can download its photos and videos to, wouldn't log in. I was locked out. I was also locked out of my photos.

To be clear: App- and cloud-connected devices and services (and the inherent problems) aren't unique to Facebook. Try using a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X when the PlayStation Network or Xbox Live are down. Some parts work, others don't. Try using Netflix or Disney Plus during an outage. So many services we use are cloud-based now. We're used to putting our lives somewhere else; always-on wearables are no different. Some parts will work, no doubt, and others won't. Facebook's glasses don't need to be online to take photos and video -- but they need that phone app to share them. 

There are plenty of sci-fi books that have imagined a coming apocalypse of half-collapsed infrastructures: Tim Maughan's Infinite Detail is a great starting point. In that book, a rebel community in the UK has decided to take down a grid of smart tech, which causes the world to reboot and learn to live without the familiar shrouds of assisted tech.

Every time there's a power outage or cellular networks go down, we rediscover this feeling and wonder about our reliance on Google, on phones, on all our social networks. The future of AR and VR doesn't necessarily need to feel this way: Lots of existing hardware can use on-device processing to handle VR graphics or AR effects, so they'll work even when there's no online connection. That needs to remain the case.

Also, having multiple companies as providers for apps and social networks is key. Altspace VR working while Oculus was down is a great reminder that Facebook should never be the sole source of the metaverse (nor will it).

Right now, mission-critical computers and phones still work during network outages. Or, at least, some features do. It's a reminder to keep local files, not be too reliant on any one company for your communication or work needs (Google outages and working in Google Drive, for instance). And the future of VR and AR, if it's ever going to progress to be an essential part of our lives, needs to be the same.

And, sure, most companies are super cloud-based in the year 2021. Powerful data centers are what will keep AR glasses small, no doubt, and there's no way to really easily think about a cloud-free computing life in the next 10 years. Most major players imagine a further reliance on cloud services: 5G and advanced graphics rendering, and shared world maps and locations.

And yet, clearly, having everything run through a few key players doesn't seem like a great solution.

Now that everything Facebook is back and Oculus Quest 2 is back to normal, I keep thinking about what wasn't working the day before... and why that's a good snapshot of what needs to be fixed before VR and AR progress any further.

GoPro just unlocked the hidden potential of the Hero5 camera's GPS data.

As of today, you can download its Quik for Desktop software for playing, editing and sharing your videos, and it will transform that data into telemetry gauges you can overlay onto your clips.

It's simple to use, too: Just record your video with the GPS turned on and connected to satellites and the camera starts collecting information for GPS path, speed, altitude, g-force and elevation gain. Import your clips into Quik and you'll see a little gauge icon when you playback a video.

From there you can select just what info you want to display on top of your clips. There's an Info Cluster that gives you date and time, distance in kilometers or miles, altitude and elevation gain; a speedometer and speed graph (the latter comes in handy for tagging high-speed highlights); GPS path; and g-force. All of them can be resized and placed anywhere on your clip.

GoPro's site has all the details, but I did a quick test of it and, like I said earlier, it's simple to use. Having the GPS on will cut into the battery life some, which should be expected but is still something to keep in mind. Also, after you turn on the GPS, you'll want to make sure you're locked onto some satellites before you start recording. That seems like a given, but I still managed to record several clips thinking it would lock quickly after I started moving and missed out on data because of it.

You can check out the clip below to get an idea of what it will do, but it's definitely a nice addition and makes paying extra for the Hero5 Black more worthwhile for sure.

Apple has released a new iPad Air, which means significant discounts are rolling out for the previous model. During its "Peek Performance" event in March, the company announced an all-new iPad Air 2022 to replace the iPad Air 4, which had been on the market for about two years. The newest model dropped at the Apple Store and other retailers March 18, but right now you can save $150 off the 256GB version of the fourth-generation iPad Air at Amazon, meaning you can pick one up today for just $600.

Part of the savings for this deal is an on-page discount, which automatically applies when you add the iPad Air to your cart and head to the checkout page. Previous versions of these at-checkout discounts have often not lasted long, so you may not want to wait too long before deciding whether this is the iPad for you. 

The new iPad Air uses Apple's M1 chip and has a new front-facing camera along with an optional 5G connection if you opt for cellular connectivity. Unless you plan to be doing resource-intensive activities on your iPad, like heavy games, photo editing and the like, the previous-gen iPad Air is likely more than enough for you. It's great for games, video chats, web browsing, social media, document creation and more. There are great keyboard attachments available, and you can pair it with a discounted Apple Pencil to take your experience to the next level.

Read more: iPad Air 2022 vs iPad Pro 2021: Which M1 Tablet is Best?

Looking for a different iPad model? Be sure to check out all the best iPad deals available today.

If you make a down payment of less than 20% on your home, you'll probably have to purchase private mortgage insurance, or PMI. When you make a smaller down payment, lenders tend to consider you a higher-risk candidate for a mortgage, and the PMI requirement protects your lender in case you default on your loan.

Although PMI makes it possible for prospective homeowners, especially first-time buyers, to qualify for a mortgage with less than 20% down, the monthly premium will add hundreds of dollars to your mortgage payment every month -- so make sure to account for this expense when figuring out your home-buying budget. PMI is required for conventional loans and Federal Housing Association loans, but some loan types, like VA loans, do not require it. 

Here is everything you need to know about PMI, how it works, when you need it and how much it will cost you over the lifetime of your mortgage.

What is PMI and how does it work? 

PMI offers buyers the opportunity to purchase a home using a conventional mortgage loan with less than the required 20% down payment. PMI protects lenders who offer lower down payment financing options. If you're unable to make a 20% down payment, lenders consider you a riskier borrower with a greater chance of defaulting on your mortgage. If that were to happen, the lender could use the escrowed PMI payments you paid up until default to recoup some of their loss.

The cost of PMI

Borrowers with PMI pay typically between 0.5% and 1.5% of the loan amount on average each year -- or between $30 and $70 monthly per $100,000 borrowed, according to Freddie Mac. For example, if you take out a $250,000 loan with a 5% down payment, PMI would add between $1,188 and $3,563 annually -- or roughly $100 to $300 tacked on to your monthly mortgage payment. 

How you pay PMI, whether monthly or yearly, varies by the lender. Some may also allow you to make a partial upfront payment at closing, which can lower your monthly or annual PMI payments.

How to lock in a low PMI Rate

• Credit score: The higher your credit score, the better chance you have at locking in a lower mortgage interest rate and PMI premium.
• Down payment: The closer you can get to a 20% down payment, the lower your PMI rate will be and the faster you can get rid of it.
• Occupancy: Owner-occupied properties get lower PMI rates than rental or investment properties.

When can I stop paying PMI?

PMI is typically no longer required once you have at least 20% equity in your home -- whether from paying down the principal or an increase in your home's value. In fact, your lender is required to cancel your PMI once your mortgage balance hits 78% of your home's original purchase price.

However, some lenders may have further requirements you must meet before satisfying your PMI obligations. These might include making a set number of mortgage payments, getting a new appraisal or owing less than 80% of your loan principal. 

Though this process may differ slightly by lender, you can usually request PMI cancellation in writing once you have reached the 80% loan-to-value threshold. You must meet specific requirements as laid out by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including: 

• A record of good payment history
• Current loan status (not in default)
• The equity must not be subject to a subordinate loan
• Proof of value, if requested (achieved through an appraisal)

Borrowers with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgages have a different threshold for removing PMI if the mortgage is between two and five years old. For these borrowers, the equity must be at least 25% before PMI can be terminated.

The benefits of PMI

Although PMI adds an additional expense to your monthly mortgage payments, in some cases, it may be worthwhile. Here are a few benefits of PMI:

• You can buy a home sooner: For many potential homeowners, high down payment requirements make owning a home seem unachievable. With down payment requirements as low as 3%, borrowers can buy a home sooner.
• You're able to build wealth sooner: Owning a home can help increase your net worth. Purchasing a home sooner with the help of PMI may also help you build equity faster, which could, in turn, help you eliminate PMI sooner.
• It's only a temporary cost: Once you've reached an 80% LTV ratio (75% for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans), you can request the removal of PMI. If you do not request it, lenders are required to automatically remove PMI when you reach 78% LTV.
• PMI is currently tax-deductible: If you file an itemized tax return, you can currently deduct private mortgage insurance from your tax return through the end of 2021. This tax break was revived in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 and extended through 2021 in the Consolidated Appropriations Act in January 2021.

Downsides of PMI

Although PMI can help you secure a mortgage with a lower down payment, there are some disadvantages to consider.

• It's an extra premium: No matter how low your PMI interest rate, you'll still be paying an extra expense each month.
• PMI rates may be high: PMI rates are set based on your credit score, home occupancy, down payment amount, and equity appreciation. A high PMI rate might raise your monthly mortgage payment by more than you can comfortably afford.
• Canceling PMI takes time: You are still required to pay PMI until the lender cancels it at 78% LTV. When requesting cancellation sooner, you'll often need to make a formal request in writing, which can take time to process and remove. You also may have to pay for an appraisal if your lender requires one.

Do all home loans require PMI? 

Though PMI is typically required only for conventional mortgages, other specialized mortgage types have their own version of it -- with their own sets of requirements.

• Conventional mortgages: If you put down less than 20% on a conventional loan, expect to pay PMI. There are some non-PMI options, but those typically include higher interest rates, which could actually cost you more in the long run.
• FHA loans: FHA loans allow you to borrow with as little as 3.5% down and have a monthly insurance premium or MIP. Depending on your lender, your MIP may require upfront payment at closing and monthly or annual payments thereafter. Borrowers who make a down payment of 10% or more must pay MIP for 11 years, while borrowers who put down less than 10% must pay PMI for the life of the loan.
• USDA loans: Although USDA loans do not require a down payment, there is a mortgage insurance requirement, with upfront and annual fees attached. An upfront fee of 1% of the loan value is due at closing and annual fees of 0.35% are due annually. Though USDA mortgage insurance cannot be canceled, it is typically more affordable than FHA MIP and interest rates tend to be lower.
• VA loans: There is no mortgage insurance requirement for VA loans, but borrowers will have to pay a one-time origination fee between 1.4 and 3.6%, depending on the down payment amount. This fee can typically be rolled into the loan amount.
• ARM loans: An ARM, or adjustable-rate mortgage, may also include PMI. The initial cost may be higher, but you may be able to build equity faster, allowing you to remove PMI faster than with a fixed-rate mortgage.

Is PMI worth the expense?

There's a trade-off here. PMI increases your monthly mortgage payment but can allow you to buy a house with a lower down payment. That noted, you may be able to forgo PMI if you get a different type of loan such as a USDA, VA or non-PMI conventional loan -- or saving up for a larger down payment. If you decide to go the PMI route, compare private mortgage insurance rates from a variety of lenders before making a commitment.

Mass-sending that dog-face-filter selfie has never been easier.

Snapchat released a new feature Tuesday, allowing people to create groups of up to 16 friends. Before the update, you had to individually check off each of your Snapchat friends to send Snaps. That can get annoying and hard to keep up with, especially amid stacks of notifications and replies.

You can create a group by sending the Snap to multiple people, making it easier to sort your college buddies from your work friends. You can also chat with the group like you can in one-on-one messages, where the chat logs are deleted after 24 hours.

This feature has been in high demand for awhile, according to other social media sites.

Hey, just shy of two years later, this Twitter user got his wish!

If you want to switch to a private conversation, you can tap on a friend's name to temporarily exit the group -- another new Snapchat feature called Quick Chat.

Snapchat is also adding Scissors and Paintbrush tools. With scissors, you can cut out part of your Preview Screen and use it as a sticker. Paintbrush can be used as an artistic filter on Snaps in Memories.

The Hunger Games movie franchise is expanding with a prequel film called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, based on a 2020 book of the same name by Suzanne Collins. While the Lionsgate flick is still awhile off, a flurry of casting announcements in May and June along with a striking, ice-coated teaser have stoked excitement for the games to begin. 

On Aug. 15, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that award-winning actress Viola Davis will appear alongside previously announced stars Peter Dinklage, Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Josh Andrés Rivera and Hunter Schafer.

The film adaptation is scheduled to hit theaters in November 2023, roughly eight years after Mockingjay Part 2, and follows a younger Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) who mentors District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler). A refresh: We know Snow from past movies as the ruthless president portrayed by Donald Sutherland. The original films brought in more than $3 billion globally, according to Lionsgate. Here's more on the cast, the plot and when we'll be making our official return to Panem.

What is The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes about?

Collins' novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set 64 years before the events of the initial trilogy. According to Lionsgate, the movie will focus in part on the lead up to the 10th Hunger Games. (For reference, Katniss volunteered as tribute for the 74th.) Teenage Snow, not yet the dictatorial ruler he'd turn out to be, senses some opportunity in Baird, the tribute he's given to mentor.

Here's the full Lionsgate synopsis: "Years before he would become the tyrannical president of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem's attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor."

It continues: "Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy Gray's race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake."

The fifth film in the Hunger Games franchise will be directed by Francis Lawrence, director of Catching Fire and both Mockingjay films. Michael Lesslie (screenwriter for 2015's Macbeth and 2016's Assassin's Creed) wrote the latest version of the script, working off a draft by Collins and Catching Fire screenwriter Michael Arndt. 

The first teaser for Songbirds and Snakes

I have to hand it to the people behind this clip -- it doesn't reveal a smidgen of the actual movie, but it still sucked me back into the world of The Hunger Games. We see what looks like an animated version of the book's cover design. A songbird and snake are covered in frost, but the ice breaks off, revealing a gold coat underneath. "You're invited to return to the games," the onscreen text says. "In 2023, the world will discover who is a songbird and who is a snake."

Who's in the cast?

The Hunger Games prequel film stars Tom Blyth as young Snow and Rachel Zegler as Baird. Blyth plays the titular role in Epix's 2022 Western series Billy the Kid and appeared in an episode of HBO series The Gilded Age. Zegler is known for her starring role in Steven Spielberg's 2021 West Side Story adaptation. She's also set to play Snow White in Disney's live-action version of the animated classic and will be in Shazam sequel Fury of the Gods.

Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis will play Volumnia Gaul, the villainous head gamemaker of the 10th Hunger Games. "Dr. Gaul is as cruel as she is creative and as fearsome as she is formidable," director Francis Lawrence said. Emmy-winning Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage will portray the dean of the Academy, Casca Highbottom. According to Lawrence, the dean is "the austere and vindictive face of the games."

They'll be joined by Josh Andrés Rivera, another West Side Story star, who's playing Snow's close friend and fellow tribute mentor Sejanus Plinth, and Hunter Schafer, who's known for her role on the HBO show Euphoria. Schafer is playing Snow's cousin Tigris. Jason Schwartzman, who's appeared in several Wes Anderson films, will play Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman, a Cesar-Flickerman ancestor and host of the 10th Hunger Games.

When will it premiere?

The movie arrives Nov. 17, 2023. That means there's time to pick up a copy of the book if you're interested -- or you could skip the training and head straight into the 10th games. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Samsung's made choosing a premium phone harder than ever with the Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, two similarly priced phones with similar specs released within six months of each other. Both have S Pen support, great zoom cameras and 120Hz refresh rate screens, and on paper it's hard to tell which one is the better buy. To find out, I used them side by side for two weeks comparing them in five different categories: displays, design, cameras, battery and performance.

The S21 Ultra feels easier to use one-handed

Both phones have a curved AMOLED screen, with the 6.9-inch Note 20 Ultra just edging out the 6.8-inch S21 Ultra in terms of size. The S21 Ultra is the heavier of the two phones, but I found it easier to use one-handed as the camera is balanced better compared to the domino-style camera module on the Note 20 Ultra.

Both phones are covered in the strongest version of Corning's glass, Gorilla Glass Victus, but since neither survivedour drop test, I'd highly recommend getting a case for them. 

Better display options on the S21 Ultra 

For things like gaming, scrolling web pages or watching videos, both displays will look incredible. They have a variable, or adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which means it's changing the refresh rate depending on what you're doing, like a higher rate for gaming, or a lower rate when the phone is standing by. But the S21 Ultra supports the highest WQHD Plus (1440p) resolution in 120Hz while the Note 20 Ultra only supports full HD (1080p) with the adaptive refresh rate. To get the highest resolution on the Note 20 Ultra, you'll need to drop to 60Hz or the standard refresh rate.

Both phones also have a fingerprint reader hidden under the display, and while I didn't notice that much difference between the two, anecdotally the S21 Ultra's sensor felt faster to authenticate and unlock the phone.

The S21 Ultra takes the camera crown 

The S21 Ultra takes the already super-close zoom on the Note to the next level with two telephoto cameras: One that can optically zoom to 3x and the other 10x, offering more flexibility for photographers who want to get closer to the subject without physically moving closer. The Note 20 Ultra, by contrast, has only one telephoto camera with a 5x optical zoom.

I also noticed that Samsung has improved the image processing of zoom photos taken using hybrid (optical and digital) zoom, which is anything beyond the reach of the telephoto camera. Looking at the same 50x photo taken on both phones, the S21 Ultra's image is clearer and retains more detail compared to the Note 20 Ultra. You can get up to 100x on the S21 Ultra, but I never found myself using this extreme zoom because the image looks pretty mushy.

General photos of landscapes and scenery look great on both phones and I couldn't really tell them apart. The main wide-angle camera uses a 108-megapixel sensor on both phones which is useful for cropping after the fact, or making really large prints, but I found the regular 12-megapixel photos were great as well. Both phones use a technique called "pixel binning" on these regular shots that helps to retain lots of detail and good dynamic range.

In low light, I prefer the S21 Ultra, although night mode shots look more processed with greater contrast and less noise than photos taken on the Note 20 Ultra in the same light. Video quality is great on both, especially when filming at 4K. To my eye, the dynamic range is a touch broader on the newer phone, but I'd be very happy with either. The S21 Ultra has an advantage in that it can film on the telephoto camera at 4K/60, whereas the Note 20 Ultra can only use digital zoom at this resolution and frame rate. Both phones film in 8K at 24fps. You can see many more photo and video samples in the video on this page.

S Pen is better on the Note 20 Ultra

Many fans of the Galaxy Note series may have been concerned when they saw the S21 Ultra would support the S Pen, because it could potentially signal the end of the Note family of phones. 

The S21 Ultra may be the first non-Note phone with stylus support, but the S Pen doesn't do quite as much as it can on the Note 20 Ultra, at least not just yet.

Both phones let you draw on the screen, take notes, annotate screenshots, convert handwriting to text or straighten your handwriting in the Samsung Notes app. The S Pen on the Note 20 Ultra also has Bluetooth support, which lets you use air gestures to open the camera or take photos remotely, to name just a few examples. The phone can also ping you if you leave the S Pen behind somewhere. And the Note can also store the S Pen inside the phone, unlike the S21 Ultra -- you can buy a separate case with a storage slot for the stylus, but if you're anything like me, you'd still lose the S Pen regardless of the case.

I couldn't notice much of a difference in terms of the performance of the S Pen when using it on the two phones side by side, but artists may be able to tell the difference, thanks to the 9ms latency on the Note 20 Ultra. Samsung will release an S Pen Pro later in 2021 that offers Bluetooth support to bring it more in line with the functionality on the Note. 

Note 20 Ultra: Smaller battery, slightly longer life 

The S21 Ultra has a 5,000-mAh battery compared to 4,500 mAh on the Note 20 Ultra, but a larger capacity battery doesn't automatically mean you'll get more juice out of the phone. Usage patterns, 5G connectivity, processing power and display brightness all play a part in overall battery life; I didn't see a huge difference in battery life between the two phones. 

Both phones made it comfortably through a full day of use with juice to spare. At the end of the day of heavy usage running both phones at 120Hz, the WQHD Plus screen (on the S21), filming 4K video and gaming, I was left with anywhere between 10 and 15% battery on the Note, and around 10% on the S21 Ultra. Anecdotally, I felt that the Note 20 Ultra had better standby time overall when I wasn't using the phone. You can check out our full reviews of the S21 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra for results from our official battery test.

The base storage level on both phones starts at 128GB with the option to go up to 512GB on both, or an intermediate 256GB tier on the S21 Ultra, but only the Note 20 has the option to expand with a microSD slot. The S21 Ultra also misses out on the charger in the box, as well as MST support in Samsung Pay. 

Depending on where you live, you'll either get a Snapdragon or Samsung's own Exynos processor. I've only tested the Snapdragon 888 on the S21 Ultra and 865 Plus on the Note 20 Ultra, so can't comment on Exynos performance, but both phones never left me wanting when it came to trimming 8K videos, gaming or running a myriad of apps at a time.

The Galaxy S21 wins, but not by much

In the end, I found that these phones share so many of the same features that it doesn't make sense to upgrade from the Note 20 Ultra to the S21 Ultra if you already have the (slightly) older phone. But improvements in the camera, S Pen support and a more balanced one-handed feel was enough to sway me to choose the S21 Ultra if I was looking for the best overall Galaxy experience.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. Note 20 Ultra specs

	Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra	Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Display size, resolution	6.8-inch AMOLED 2X, 3,200x1,440 pixels	6.9-inch; 3,088x1,440 pixels
Pixel density	515 ppi	496 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	2.97x6.5x0.35 in.	6.49x3.04x0.31 in.
Dimensions (millimeters)	75.6x165.1x8.9mm	164.8x77.2x8.1mm
Weight (ounces, grams)	8.07 oz.; 229g	7.33 oz., 208g
Mobile software	Android 11	Android 11
Camera	108-megapixel (wide-angle), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 10-megapixel (10x telephoto)	12-megapixel (ultrawide), 108-megapixel (wide-angle), 12-megapixel (telephoto)
Front-facing camera	40-megapixel	10-megapixel
Video capture	8K	8K
Processor	Snapdragon 888	Snapdragon 865 Plus
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 512GB
RAM	12GB, 16GB	12GB
Expandable storage	No	Up to 1TB
Battery	5,000 mAh	4,500 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	In-screen	In-screen
Headphone jack	No	No
Special features	IP68 rating, 5G-enabled, 100x Space Zoom, 10W wireless charging, 10x optical zoom	120Hz screen refresh rate, 5x optical zoom, 120Hz display; UWB sharing, S Pen stylus; 5G connectivity; Wireless PowerShare; water resistant (IP68)
Price off-contract (USD)	$1,200 (128GB), $1,250 (256GB), $1,380 (512GB)	$1,300 (128GB), $1,450 (512GB)
Price (GBP)	£1,149 (128GB), £1,199 (256GB), £1,329 (512GB)	£1,179
Price (AUD)	AU$1,849 (128GB), AU$1,949 (256GB), AU$2,149 (512GB)	AU$1,849 (4G) and $AU$1,999 (5G)