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Elon Musk Calls For Increased Nuclear Power, Oil and Gas Production


Elon Musk Calls For Increased Nuclear Power, Oil and Gas Production

Elon Musk over the weekend highlighted the need for greater oil and gas output and urged Europe to turn toward nuclear power for its energy needs. The Tesla chief's tweets came as US gasoline prices rose and a Ukrainian nuclear plant was seized amid Russia's war in Ukraine

"Hate to say it, but we need to increase oil & gas output immediately," he tweeted Friday. "Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures."

He noted that this could hurt sales of electric cars like Tesla's but acknowledged that sustainable energy output couldn't instantly make up for lost Russian oil and gas exports. 

Russia is among the world's largest producers of crude oil and natural gas, providing 10% of the supply globally and roughly 40% for the European Union. The war has strained relations between Russia and many nations, including those that buy its energy supplies. 

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden banned US imports of oil and gas from Russia and said European allies are working on strategies to reduce their dependence on Russian energy. The European Commission on Tuesday outlined its plan to make the region independent of Russian fossil fuels "well before" 2030.

On Sunday, Musk turned his attention to nuclear energy following the Russian seizure of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. 

"Hopefully, it is now extremely obvious that Europe should restart dormant nuclear power stations and increase power output of existing ones," he tweeted. "This is *critical* to national and international security."

The US Embassy in Kyiv on Friday, in a tweet, called Russia's attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant a war crime. And the invading forces are advancing toward another nuclear plant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told US lawmakers over the weekend.

Many countries have phased out nuclear power after accidents like partial meltdown of Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island reactor in 1979, Ukraine's Chernobyl meltdown in 1986 and Japan's Fukushima disaster in 2011. The Chernobyl meltdown happened while Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union; the former plant's site is currently occupied by Russian forces.

Germany is among the European nations turning away from nuclear energy. In 2011, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel announced an energy transition that would phase out nuclear power and coal in favor of renewables. Germany shut down three nuclear plants at the end of 2021, leaving three plants active in the country. 

Meanwhile, Germany has become more dependent on Russia for its natural gas and coal supplies, Bloomberg noted. But after the invasion of Ukraine, Germany surprised Russia by halting approval of Nord Stream 2, a natural gas pipeline running from Russia to Germany. 


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Best Air Fryer Deals Right Now


Best Air Fryer Deals Right Now

Air fryers are becoming some of the most popular kitchen gadgets, and it's no wonder why. Not only can they help youcook healthier meals by using less oil, but they are one of the best warm-weather appliances, because using them for your meal keeps the kitchen cooler than turning on the big oven. In the long run air frying can even save money on your energy bill. If you have not invested in an air fryer yet, I encourage you to try one out. I use my own air fryer nearly every day and it's one small kitchen appliance I think is simple and convenient enough for everyone to use. 

The good news is you can find deals on air fryers and budget models that work well. Right now there are air fryer deals as low as $35, and our all-time favorite model, the Ninja 4-quart, is down to $100 (save $30). If you've been air-fry curious, check out some of the best air fryer deals we've gathered below, and check back often since we consistently update this story regularly as new deals emerge.

But first, a little air fryer 101.

Read moreAir Fryers Explained: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

What does an air fryer do?

Air fryer ovens make crispy snacks that taste like they've been fried, but there's no frying involved. Instead, air fryers use superhot, fast-circulating air to replicate the effects of oil-frying but with none of the unwanted calories and fat. I love mine and use it nearly every day. For me, the only thing better than an air fryer is a cheap air fryer, and that's exactly what you'll find in the deals outlined below.

What are the different types of air fryers?

When choosing an air fryer, you have one big decision to make: Certain models only air-fry, and they're generally cheaper but you will be limited in what you can do. Then there are larger hybrid countertop convection ovens with an air-fry function. With this type, you can generally bake, broil, toast, reheat, defrost and warm in addition to air-frying -- although sometimes the air fryer function is not quite as strong as a dedicated air fryer. Both versions are great and it really comes down to what you plan to cook, the counter space you can give up and how much you want to spend.

How much should an air fryer cost?

This all depends on how fancy you want to get. But the good news is you won't have to spend much if you don't want to, especially if you snap up one of these air fryer deals. Basic single-function air fryers from generic brands start at around $30 and I've found they work well, even if they lack some of the features that the more expensive ovens have. 

There are also hybrid ovens that are more like countertop toaster ovens but with air fryer functions. Those range from $150 to $300, but with these 2022 air fryer deals, you can nab one for less.

Read moreSave Money on Your Energy Bill by Opting for an Air Fryer

Best air fryer deals

Ninja

The Foodi 5-quart multicooker does a whole lot more than air fry, although it does that well. You can pressure cook, slow cook, steam and saute with this multifunction countertop cooker. It's reduced by $20 currently.

Instant Pot

If you already have a 6-quart Instant Pot, there's no need to buy an entire air fryer. The brand makes a lid that fits on top of that model and air fries right inside the multicooker chamber. Oh, and it's incredibly powerful for making crispy "fried" chicken wings and potato wedges.

Dash

This 6-quart air fryer has a large cooking capacity. While it has all manual controls and no presets, that actually makes this model very simple to use. It also has an auto shut-off feature to prevent overcooking and comes with a recipe guide.

Cuisinart

This massive 18-quart combo gadget boasts a full-size toaster oven with a built-in air fryer. It can bake, broil, air fry, toast and more. The stainless steel is easy to wipe down and it has dishwasher-safe parts. And right now it's 43% off. If you have the counterspace available, this do-it-all option is worth considering. 

Read moreThe 5 Best Air Fryers for 2022


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Last Day to Save Big On Appliances, Tech and More at Best Buy's Memorial Day Sale


Last Day to Save Big On Appliances, Tech and More at Best Buy's Memorial Day Sale

Today is the final day of Memorial Day weekend, which means that many of the major sales are coming to an end as well. Best Buy still has some great offers available on big-ticket items like major appliances, TVs, laptops and more, but you better hurry if you're hoping to take advantage of these discounts. All these deals are set to expire at 9:59 p.m. PT (12:59 a.m. ET) tonight, so be sure to get your order in before then.

With so many great deals and such little time, it can be difficult to know if you're getting a good bargain. Don't worry -- we've saved you some time and effort by going through the sale to find some of the best buys that Best Buy currently has to offer. Check out the highlights we've compiled below or shop the entire sale selection at Best Buy. 

Memorial Day TV deals at Best Buy

LG

The advanced 8K AI processor optimizes composition, black, light and color in every scene, providing you with an ultra-clear picture and upscaling for your non-8K content. It also features TruMotion 240 with a native 120Hz refresh rate to reduce blur and a Game Optimizer with auto low-latency mode, as well as Filmmaker Mode and Cinema HDR, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos. Other features include hands-free voice control and the ability to control your other compatible smart devices right from your TV's dashboard.

Here are some of the best deals on TVs right now:

There are also some high-end OLED models on sale:

Memorial Day PC deals at Best Buy

Microsoft

The Surface Laptop 4 is great for streaming movies, gaming with friends and jumping on video calls while still being a portable size. It also has HD video and Studio Mics to make sure you come through perfectly clear no matter where you are. Plus, the speakers support Dolby Atmos audio. This particular model has 256GB of storage on a solid-state drive and 16GB of memory, which is enough to power all your everyday computing tasks and entertainment needs, as well as intense multitasking, video editing, gaming and other projects. This laptop comes with a free upgrade to Windows 11, the latest Windows OS. And with Fast Charging, you can get up to 80% in an hour, giving you more flexibility to stay connected and productive, wherever the day takes you.

Read our Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 review.

Here are some great deals on laptop and desktop PCs available now:

Memorial Day appliance deals at Best Buy

LG

This single unit LG WashTower features a front-load washer (4.5 cubic feet) and electric dryer (7.4 cubic feet) features a centralized control panel for easy access as well as built-in intelligence that can select optimal wash and dry motions and settings so you don't have to do any guesswork. It's also designed to run quietly so it won't interrupt your favorite show or you can run laundry while you sleep. Plus, this set includes an Allergiene Cycle feature, which uses the power of steam to remove over 95% of pet dander and dust, which is helpful for anyone with asthma or allergies. 

Save on select major appliances this weekend:

  • LG HE stackable front-load washer and gas dryer bundle: $1,500 (save $500)
  • Samsung (4.5 cubic feet) HE top-load washer: $580 (save $185)
  • Samsung (4.5 cubic feet) HE stackable front load washer: $700 (save $155)
  • LG (4.5 cubic feet) HE stackable front-load washer: $700 (save $250)
  • LG (7.4 cubic feet) stackable electric dryer with FlowSense: $700 (save $250)
  • LG (5 cubic feet) HE stackable smart front-load washer with steam: $1,100 (save $550)
  • LG (7.4 cubic feet) HE stackable smart electric dryer with steam: $1,100 (save $550)
  • Whirlpool (5.1 cubic feet) freestanding stainless steel gas range: $600 (save $228)
  • Amana (5.1 cubic feet) freestanding stainless steel gas range: $600 (save $270)
  • Samsung (6 cubic feet) freestanding stainless steel gas range with Wi-Fi and griddle: $680 (Save $130)
  • Samsung (6.3 cubic feet) freestanding stainless steel electric range with Wi-Fi and rapid boil: $750 (Save $105)
  • LG (27 cubic feet) side-by-side stainless steel refrigerator: $1,400 (save $433)
  • GE (27 cubic feet) french door stainless steel refrigerator: $1,600 (save $560)
  • Samsung (27 cubic feet) french door refrigerator: $2,000 (save $340)
  • LG (29 cubic feet) french door stainless steel refrigerator: $2,000 (save $222)
  • LG (26 cubic feet) french door InstaView stainless steel refrigerator: $2,700 (save $700)
  • Samsung (26.5 cubic feet) french door stainless steel refrigerator with Family Hub: $2,800 (save $260)
  • Samsung StormWash 24-inch stainless steel dishwasher with third rack: $750 (save $60)

Check out even more deals at Best Buy all weekend long.


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Talkspace Online Therapy Review: Benefits, Cost and Who Should Consider It


Talkspace Online Therapy Review: Benefits, Cost and Who Should Consider It

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for treatment of anxiety and depression has increased exponentially. In a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, 96% of psychologists polled reported that they were treating patients remotely. The numbers broke down to 64% treating all patients remotely and 32% using a hybrid treatment plan, treating some patients in person and others remotely. 

Online therapy is a great way to take care of your mental health if time, distance or life in general make it difficult to see a therapist in person. Talkspace is an online therapy platform that matches you with a licensed counselor in your state. You can schedule your sessions and meet with your therapist from the comfort of your home.

For this review I considered a number of factors including the services Talkspace offers, its special features, benefits, pricing and therapist qualifications. 

What is Talkspace?

Oren and Roni Frank co-founded Talkspace in 2012. The platform's goal is to provide access to mental health care to those who otherwise do not have access to quality mental health services. 

Through Talkspace, you can connect with therapists with backgrounds and expertise that align best with your needs. These mental health care professionals offer virtual psychology and psychiatry support to individuals, couples and teens through its website and app.  

The platform also offers services for a wide range of mental health needs like anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, substance abuse, parenting, eating disorders, chronic illness and hardships that the LGBTQ community often faces. 

What makes Talkspace shine is that licensed professionals can prescribe medications through its psychiatric services. A service that its counterparts, such as BetterHelp, have yet to offer. 

Read more: Tips to Find the Right Therapist For You

A woman in an online meeting
Five/Getty

How does Talkspace work?

Talkspace's sign-up process is straightforward. You can sign up through its website or app. Here's what subscribing to Talkspace looks like:

1. Answer the assessment: When you click the button to get started, you'll be prompted to answer a few questions about the type of therapy you are looking for, your demographics, lifestyle, physical health and preferences. You'll also create your user account.

2. Choose your plan: Next, you can select which plan you'd like to buy. You can choose from the Messaging therapy plan, Live Plan or the Live plus messaging Plan.

3. Get matched: At this stage, Talkspace will suggest three therapists with experience that match your needs. Here, you can choose which one you'd like to work with. You can expect to get matched within 48 hours of signing up.

4. Start therapy: Once you choose your preferred therapist, they will contact you. Depending on the plan you select, you can schedule weekly or monthly live sessions with your counselor.

A smiling woman doctor on video call consultation with a male patient
Westend6/Getty

How much does Talkspace cost?

We mentioned that there are three plans available through Talkspace; let's compare pricing for each and what they offer.

Messaging therapy: This plan includes unlimited messaging therapy. You can send text, audio and video messages to your therapist any day, any time. It guarantees daily responses five days a week. You'll pay $69 a week for this plan.

Live therapy: This plan includes four 45-minute live sessions a month. The price for this plan is $99 a week.

Live plus messaging therapy: Get the best of both worlds with live and messaging therapy. It offers unlimited text, audio and video messaging plus four 45-minute live sessions a month. This plan will set you back $129 a week.

You can choose to pay any of these plans monthly, every three months (will save you 10%) or every six months (will save you 20%).

Read more: Best Online Therapy Services 

Does Talkspace take insurance?

In the words of Michael Phelps, "I have really good news for 40 million Americans". In 2020, Talkspace expanded accessible mental health care coverage for millions of Americans via insurance coverage. Major insurance companies like Cigna, Optum, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield and Humana cover mental health services on Talkspace.

To determine if your insurance policy covers Talkspace, you can check your insurance coverage eligibility through your insurer or on Talkspace's website

Does Talkspace offer financial aid?

At the time of writing, I couldn't find any information about financial aid on Talkspace. However, if you have insurance, you might have coverage and may only need to pay a deductible or copay. 

I also found an offer code in the Talkspace app for $100 off your first month with the code SPACE.

Talkspace communication methods

Once you're matched with your therapist, you'll have access to a private room where you can contact them. You can access this room via Talkspace's website or on the app. You can also select your preferred method of communication. 

Video messaging

You can communicate with your counselor through video messages, but it's important to note live video sessions are only available on the Premium and Ultimate plans. Depending on your plan, you can schedule a weekly or monthly live video session with your therapist. If you choose the Plus plan, you can still send video messages to your therapist; it just won't be in real-time.

Voice Message

Much like sending a voice message to a friend through WhatsApp, you can send audio messages to your therapist at any time of day, seven days a week. Even though you can contact your therapist at any time, that doesn't mean they'll respond immediately or every day. You can expect therapists to reply five days a week.

Young man with coffee in one hand and smartphone in the other sending a voice message
Westend61/Getty

Text message

If you are most comfortable reaching out via text, this is the best option for you. Just enter the chat room and reach out to your therapist the same way you would reach out to a friend. You can send unlimited text messages at any time of day.

Talkspace treatment methods

When it comes to therapy, there are many approaches you can take. The best one for you will depend on your needs and goals. You can talk to your counselor to see which options are available. 

The most common types of treatments found on Talkspace include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Emotion-focused therapy 
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy 
  • Talk therapy
  • Somatic therapy
  • Humanistic therapy
  • Mentalization therapy
  • Exposure therapy
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Grief counseling
Young person on laptop computer in living room
Atstock Production/Getty

Talkspace features

Besides unlimited texting and video sessions with your therapist, Talkspace offers some cool features to help you stay on track with your mental health journey.

Progress tracker: Talkspace offers a great way to visualize your progress through its therapy progress tracker. As you start to foster a relationship with your counselor, you can click on "client journey" in the app to view your timeline. You can set goals with your therapist and see how well you are doing.

Mental health tools and resources: If you want to put what you've learned to practice, check out Talkspace's self-help exercises. It offers many resources to help you navigate different situations including stress, anxiety and negative thought patterns. You can also find other useful tools such as breathing exercises for when you're feeling stressed. Most of the exercises are from 1 to 15 minutes long, making them convenient for when you're short on time.

These resources are available to you at any time. You can find them on your dashboard under Therapy Tools. 

Live chat: For those who have plans that include live chat, you can schedule them in advance through your calendar. The live feature allows you to chat in real-time with your therapist through your preferred communication method: text, audio or video. These live sessions have a duration of 30 minutes.

Benefits of Talkspace

Besides providing access to mental health professionals, some other things make Talkspace stand out:

  • Access to psychiatric care
  • If working with a psychiatrist, they can prescribe and manage medication
  • A vast network of licensed therapists
  • Many large health insurers cover services offered on Talkspace
  • Ability to message your therapist at any time
  • The flexibility of choosing weekly or monthly live sessions
  • Talkspace will match you with three therapists, and you can choose which one you'd like to work with
  • If you're unhappy with your therapist, you can change them at any time at no extra cost

Disadvantages of Talkspace

There's a lot to like about Talkspace, but there are a few things that you should consider before deciding if it's the right fit for you:

  • Medicare and Medicaid don't cover the cost of therapy on Talkspace
  • No therapy options for children ages 12 and younger
  • Negative customer reviews about billing and customer service
  • Similar to other online therapy platforms, therapists on Talkspace can't diagnose mental health disorders

Talkspace therapist qualifications

Talkspace therapists are highly skilled and qualified. According to the website, to become a member of the clinical network, all mental health professionals must possess an LCSW, LMFT, LPCC or Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and must be licensed in the state they practice.

Talkspace verifies all therapists' credentials and runs a background check upon hire. 

Talkspace's privacy policy

When you sign up with Talkspace, you share a lot of personal data, including credit card information, legal name and medical records. You might be wondering, is my information safe?

According to the website, Talkspace may collect, retain, analyze and use any personal information you provide. The company provides a lot of insight into how your information may be used. Although this might sound scary, it's not uncommon for platforms to store and use your data for marketing purposes and to tailor your services.

What's most important is that the information shared with your therapist is safe. When you message your therapist, all of the information is encrypted -- meaning that your messages are only readable to you and your therapist.

To ensure that your medical information remains private, Talkspace is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. 

Older woman sitting at a dining table sending a text message
GCShutter/Getty

Talkspace customer reviews

On paper, Talkspace has a lot to offer -- convenient scheduling, online resources and tools and access to qualified therapists. But when it comes to customer reviews, the company falls short in terms of good customer experience. Talkspace holds a 1.3 out of 5 star review on Trustpilot, an independent review platform where consumers can review services and products. 

Most clients have complaints about unauthorized charges, billing issues, subpar customer services and difficulty navigating the app. Other reviewers note that they've had good experiences with therapists, but not with Talkspace as a company.

Is Talkspace right for you?

If you're looking to start taking care of your mental health or need help facing difficult life changes, Talkspace may be a good online therapy option. It offers flexible scheduling and access to a diverse network of licensed therapists. It's also one of the few online therapy platforms that offer psychiatric services and medication prescriptions. 

However, good experiences with Talkspace may be a hit or miss. It does not boast great reviews amongst its customers. Since the platform is subscription-based, you can try it out to see if you are matched with a therapist that aligns with your needs, and if you don't like them, you can either request a change or cancel your membership.

If you have thoughts about hurting yourself, Talkspace is not the appropriate channel. If you have an emergency or are in a life-threatening situation, please contact your local police, the nearest emergency room or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifetime at 1-800-273-8255.

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.


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This Star Wars AT-AT is actually a cosplaying Clydesdale horse


This Star Wars AT-AT is actually a cosplaying Clydesdale horse

Clydesdale horses may be famous as the oversized brand ambassadors for Budweiser, but it turns out they can also be intimidating war machines from another galaxy. 

Prop maker Michael Corrie of Mike's Tiny Shop in Martinsville, Indiana, created a massive Star Wars  AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) costume for a 2,000-pound Clydesdale named Moana. 

Moana's owner tries out her own General Veers costume.

Michael Corrie

Moana's owner is a Star Wars fan and wanted the outfit to compete in the costume class of the World Clydesdale Show in Madison, Wisconsin, this weekend. Moana is 18 and this is set to be her last appearance at the show.

Corrie says it took about five months and 700 hours of work to complete the costume, which is mainly made from PVC pipe, foam exercise mats and tape.

"It was a long series of fittings and refittings to ensure Moana was both comfortable and safe," Corrie tells CNET. "Early on we decided that if at anytime Moana was stressed the whole thing would be abandoned." 

The prop maker says the completed costume is not much different from the harnesses the horse is used to wearing.

Corrie also made a General Veers costume for Moana's owner to wear to complete the Empire Strikes Back theme.

Corrie hopes to register the sci-fi outfit as a Guinness World Record for the largest equine Star Wars costume ever created. He is running a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the $1,000 application fee. If successful, the equine AT-AT costume would reign supreme in its own category since there's no existing record quite like it.


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What to know about HP's newest, lightest Aero laptop


What to know about HP's newest, lightest Aero laptop

Back in the 2010s, we saw computer manufacturers clambering to flatten their laptops and clinch the superlative of "thinnest and lightest." (See: CNET's YouTube compilation of "Every time Apple says 'This is the thinnest and lightest MacBook ever'" spanning the past 15 years.) But as laptops have bottomed out at under half an inch, it looks like the race to "the thinnest" has run its course: A computer can't get much skinnier without being, well, a sheet of paper. So, companies have pivoted the focus of their hot pursuit -- and now they're just vying to produce a laptop they can call "the lightest."

HP doesn't say its upcoming 13.3-inch Pavilion Aero 13, announced Tuesday, is the lightest laptop on the market. Instead the claim is that this is the lightest consumer laptop HP has ever produced, weighing less than 1 kilogram, or about 2 pounds. That's about 1 pound lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Starting at $749 on HP.com, the Pavilion Aero 13 will likely make its US debut in July. (HP predicts availability in the UK and Australia in August, starting at £750 and AU$1,599, respectively.) HP says it's expected to be compatible with Windows 11, which could roll out as early as October.

In a press briefing, HP touted how this lightweight laptop caters specifically to the post-pandemic mobility needs of younger people, who shuttle their computers between school, work, coffee shops and home. The Pavilion Aero 13 should last 10.5 hours on a full charge, and its display is visible even in outdoor sunlight. It comes in trendy color options like pale rose gold and ceramic white.

For a featherweight device, this laptop seems to pack a punch: The AMD Ryzen 5000 processors provide speed, the 2.5K resolution enables crisp visuals and a unique 16:10 aspect ratio offers 10% more size than 16:9 competitors. Plus, HP says the design prioritizes sustainability, incorporating materials you can recycle and plastics that would have otherwise hit the oceans.

The HP Pavilion Aero 13 is reasonably priced, and it seems as if it should suit those who need a smooth-running laptop that they can plunk into a backpack and carry from place to place. Once we grab one to review, we'll see if it's stricken with the same plasticky feel as the similar-weight Lenovo LaVie Z, or if it successfully balances portability with durability.


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DJI Osmo Action cam has two big features your GoPro doesn't


DJI Osmo Action cam has two big features your GoPro doesn't

DJI enters the action cam market with the Osmo Action. 

Sarah Tew/CNET

DJI makes cameras for the sky, cameras for the land and now, with the Osmo Action, a camera for the water. And land. And air if you're jumping out of a plane or off a cliff. 

Instead of the camera-on-a-motorized-gimbal design of past Osmo cameras, such as last year's palm-sized Osmo Pocket, the Action is a rugged little GoPro-like model that's shockproof, dustproof and waterproof down to 11 meters (down to 60 meters with a housing). I didn't get a chance to do any diving with it, but it worked just fine in a downpour. 

The camera also has some of the best electronic image stabilization (EIS) you're going to find outside of GoPro's Hero 7 Black, which is good news for a company that's built a reputation on dreamy smooth aerial video. You'll actually find several feature similarities between the two competing cameras including recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second and slow-motion in full HD at 240fps. But DJI gives potential GoPro buyers at least two reasons to look its way instead. 

Are you ready to RockSteady? 

Sarah Tew/CNET

HDR FTW

There's limited need for a tiny camera that cranks out 8K-resolution video. The same could be said about 4K-resolution video at frame rates faster than 60fps. But small cameras have small image sensors that struggle with extreme lighting conditions, so the option for high dynamic range to improve highlight and shadow detail in video would actually be pretty useful. 

The Osmo Action can shoot HDR video in 4K at 30fps and the results are good. You can definitely see an improvement, though it's tricky to make HDR look natural and in some of my clips it made the subjects look flat. Also, since the camera's RockSteady stabilization isn't available with HDR, you can't really do anything too "action-y" without shaky results. Still, it's a good first step for those times when your exposure needs some help. And it can likely be improved down the road with a firmware update. 

My, what big screens you have

On the back of the camera is a 2.25-inch wide touchscreen. Tap on it twice with two fingers and the 1.4-inch screen on front kicks on to show you what the camera sees. You'll also see some shooting info and the battery life. Another double tap on the rear touchscreen turns the front display off again and the rear on. 

This might not seem like much, but for a camera style that's regularly used to capture the person using it, the front display often comes in handy. And since you can shoot with the camera horizontally and vertically, it's helpful to have for framing up your shots for social. 

You don't need to tap on the screen to switch between them either. A long press on the camera's Quick Switch button on the left side will flip them as well as saying "screen switch," which is one of a handful of voice controls. 

The Quick Switch button lets you jump right to your favorite shooting modes. 

Sarah Tew/CNET

Quick Switch and the UI disconnect

One of the features I liked most about the Osmo Action is the Quick Switch button. As the name implies, it lets you quickly switch to other shooting modes of your choosing. Only care about HDR and slow-motion video and burst shooting stills? Just select those in the QS settings and those are what you'll see on screen when you press the button.

Or perhaps you have a favorite set of manual video settings for low-light conditions. You can save those as a custom set and add them to the QS menu. It's basically like having the mode selection dial from a bigger camera, but it's only got the stuff you want on it. 

The rest of the camera's interface is not as straightforward. The resolution menu is separate from the camera settings menu and they don't look the same. Then there's a separate shooting mode menu that you tap on while most other menus are reached with swipes. What's worse is the experience is completely different in the mobile app. Oh, and for some reason DJI put the power and QS buttons on the left side of the camera, which was annoying for right-handed use unless I had the camera pointed at myself. 

Great start, but better later?

DJI has put together an action cam that can certainly compete with GoPro's top camera. The Osmo's video quality isn't quite as good as the Hero 7 Black, which retained more detail and had less noise in its 4K video with EIS in my testing. However, it's possible DJI could change its image processing to improve the results, making it tougher to decide between the two.

There are a couple other features absent: It's missing a discrete video output and the USB-C port it has doesn't support video either. There's also no support for live streaming from the camera as of yet. And while the HDR video is certainly cool, there's no HDR photo option, only exposure bracketing. 

But again, unless there's a hardware roadblock, there's possibly more potential here for DJI to unlock with a firmware update -- something it has regularly done with its drones. Speaking of hardware, DJI used a camera frame with a standard two-prong GoPro mount. So you've got lots of accessories immediately available and the company will have some of its own, including an external mic adapter and lens filters.

The Osmo Action is shipping now for $350, which falls below the $400 Hero 7 Black. GoPro currently offers a $100 off if you send in an old GoPro or other digital camera regardless of condition, however, dropping the price to $300. Decisions, decisions. 


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