You have a lot of smart devices. I have an easy way to check which countries they’re connected to. Plus, I answer one of your burning tech questions!
5 countries rolling out the remote work red carpet
What if “work from home” became “work from beach?” One of the most attractive benefits of remote work is being able to operate from literally anywhere. Well, anywhere with the internet, at least.
Luckily, vacation destinations worldwide are opening their arms to digital nomads, making it easier than ever to take advantage of our newfound remote freedom. From cheap visas to moving incentives, here’s who’s rolling out the red carpet to remote workers worldwide, starting with the basics: Wi-Fi.
(Struggling to stream? These apps will troubleshoot your Wi-Fi connection.)
Top 5 countries with “workable” internet:
- Thailand – Speeds up to 196.20Mbps and an average temperature of 80 degrees. Thailand’s median download speed is hefty enough to support multiple video streams while simultaneously uploading high-res photos and videos.
- Spain – Speeds up to 172.04Mbps, with a chance of paella. Spain’s got you covered if you want to do more than just email co-workers and dabble in Excel.
- Romania – Speeds up to 171.15Mbps to live your Audrey Hepburn Vespa fantasy. Wait, that movie was “Roman Holiday,” wasn’t it?
- Hungary – Speeds up to 134.43Mbps for you to stream from its famed thermal spas. Nothing like a soak to de-stress from a long day of video calls.
- Portugal – Speeds up to 128.50 Mbps — plenty for your pictures of pastel de nata. Plus, its high-speed rail gets you from Lisbon to Porto in under 3 hours for under $30!
Ok, you’ve got the connection, but now you need the credentials.
Visit via Visas
You must get a work visa to stay in a different country for an extended period.
The good news: Since the explosion in remote work, many countries now offer a remote work visa so digital nomads can stay longer (and spend more). It’s a win-win since your dollar will stretch even further in most places.
They even coined a nifty new term for digital nomads who settle abroad: Techpats. They are not quite permanent ex-pats, but definitely travelers who are in the country to enjoy more than a pina colada or two.
Today, 50+ countries offer some form of digital nomad visa.
Techpat welcome mat
The trick to stream movies not available in the U.S.
You’ve scoured your DVDs, plowed through your “must-watch list” and now what? You can unlock thousands of new movies and TV shows, just with the click of a button. All you need is a VPN and a Netflix account.
Netflix just raised its prices again, and this is one way to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
American tourists are big targets abroad: You can thank Hollywood stereotypes that paint us all as wealthy. In some countries, you could be robbed, drugged or worse. If you’re traveling, keep your voice down (everyone knows an American accent), ditch USA-branded clothes and if something feels off, get outta there.
45 days of parental leave
Can be transferred to a friend or family member in Sweden. Folks will earn 80% of their salary by looking after their grandkids. Sweden was the first country to allow parental leave, so maybe this benefit will spread to other countries, too. It makes perfect sense!
The X-rated codes behind these popular emojis will shock you
If you’re like most people, you love using emojis to convey thoughts and feelings. A recent Google update even lets you design your own emoji creations with its custom keyboard. Tap or click to find out how.
But there are a few emojis or combinations of emojis you may want to steer clear of to avoid some awkward situations.
Apple’s iPhone spyware problem is worsening: Attacks mostly against journalists, activists and government representatives have been reported in over 150 countries. Common red flags: Faster-than-usual battery drainage, high data usage and unexpected shutdowns. If you’re a journalist or activist, or if you work for the government, turn on Lockdown mode.