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Month: June 2018

  • Total Control: Our Favorite Universal Remote

    Total Control: Our Favorite Universal Remote

    If your entertainment center has caused you to collect far too many remote controllers, it’s time for a universal remote. Logitech makes the best in the biz, but Sony has a pretty good entry worth considering too. If you’re looking to streamline your entertainment, look no further: we’ve got our favorites right here for you to check out.  

    Sony RMVLZ620 

    Sony’s universal remote has a catchy, memorable name and a slick design. One of those things is true. Jokes aside, if you want a straight-forward, bare-essentials universal remote, Sony’s is a great choice. At $25 it won’t set you back too much to streamline your living room. You can pair up to eight devices using pre-programmed codes. The one-touch macro buttons are a plus, and the backlit buttons are great for when you’re watching in the dark. If you want a simple, easy-to-use remote, this one is for you. 

    Logitech Harmony 650 

    The Harmony 650 is the best remote for your buck if you don’t need a crazy suite of features. For those who want full smart-home integration and app uses, check out the Harmony Elite or Companion. For general use, though, the 650 will get everything you need done. The best part about this solid remote is the price tag. It only runs $35, and it’s fairly easy to set up. You just have to set it up through your computer, but once it’s online it can control your whole system with a button press. This remote is fantastically powerful for its price. 

    Our Favorite Universal Remote: Logitech Harmony Companion 

    The Harmony Companion is a fantastic choice if you intend to sync it with your smart home technology. It can control everything from your TV to your Philips Hue lights. The best part of this one is the Alexa integration. While Logitech sells a more-robust Logitech Harmony Elite, that one costs $250. The Companion, however, only costs $135 and offers similar features. If you have Alexa and smart home technology already, the Companion is a great choice at a great price. It even features a smartphone app that can also be used as a remote for the devices that are paired. You can’t go wrong with this winner from Logitech. 

  • Google Maps and Uber Fall Out

    Google Maps and Uber Fall Out

    Uber and Google Maps have been integrated since January of 2017. However, in the newest Android update, that integration has been rescinded. Previously, users were able to see prices and hail Ubers directly through the Google Maps app. Uber was the only service that offered direct integration through the Maps app. While several other services, like Lyft, are visible through Google Maps, only Uber could be paid for directly through the app.  

    Why are Google and Uber Done? 

    It’s unclear why this split took place. Perhaps the ride-sharing giant would rather customers open their app and use it. Maybe Google tired of supporting just Uber through their Map app and didn’t have plans to integrate other ride-sharing apps. In any event, users can still see ride sharing details in Google Maps. Now, however, they will be moved to the ride-sharing service’s app when they want to actually hail a ride and pay for it.  

    Continued Troubles for Uber

    Uber has been in a good deal of hot water lately. For one, they’ve been under fire for classifying their employees as contractors, thus avoiding paying for insurance for them. Additionally, the company faced allegations of turning a blind eye to sexual misconduct last year. Other issues last year, like fines from many states at localities, lack of diversity in hiring and leaks of medical information led to the demotion of then-CEO Travis Kalanick.  

    Since then, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to hold itself to a higher standard. The ethical issues of its impact on the gig economy, however, are unresolved. Between pressuring traditional taxi services and warping the economy of transportation, the company has had a substantial impact. Despite being worth billions of dollars, they own very little in the way of cars or employees. They are still able to classify their drivers as contractors and use the property of others to fund their own profits.  

    These issues likely had little to do with the app’s de-coupling from Google Maps, but who knows? Perhaps Google is trying to send a message on how they feel about companies like Uber. Or, more likely, Google simply decided it didn’t want to be so closely identified with a company that has a record as rough as Uber’s. 

    Feature Image Credit: USA Today

  • Tesla, Autopilot and Self-Driving Cars: Responsibility vs Marketability

    Tesla, Autopilot and Self-Driving Cars: Responsibility vs Marketability

    Elon Musk is a magnetic and charismatic man. His companies, Tesla, SpaceX and the Boring Company all promise to redefine transportation. And, to a degree, they have. The Tesla Model 3 was the most hotly-anticipated car of all time. The SpaceX program has made promising strides in the realm of proposed commercial space flights. The Boring Company recently signed a deal with Chicago to bore a tunnel from O’Hare International to Downtown Chicago.  

    Yeah there is a specter looming, and it’s expectations. Musk and Tesla have poorly communicated and obfuscated the capabilities of Tesla’s Autopilot feature. In a recent Tweet, Musk referred to an upcoming Autopilot update as offering “full self-driving features.” This is in spite of a few fatal crashes that are purported to have happened due to overreliance on the Autopilot system. At what point does murky marketing language become irresponsible? What is the culpability of Musk and Tesla in these deaths? 

    The Walter Huang Incident 

    Walter Huang was killed when his Tesla impacted a central lane divider on a California highway. His vehicle was being controlled by the Autopilot software at the time of his death. The vehicle had been on autopilot for about 19 minutes when Huang died. Reports after the incident described the event as having occurred due to Huang’s overreliance on the Autopilot software. However, what degree of culpability can be said to rest with Tesla, and its CEO? Elon Musk is renowned for overhyping his vehicles and referring to Autopilot as “Self-Driving.”  

    “Self-Driving?” 

    Another fatal incident in Florida occurred in 2016 involving a Model S in Autopilot. More recently, Teslas in Autopilot have gotten in incidents involving parked fire trucks in both Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, respectively. These incidents have led to a more “nagging” reminder system in Teslas, reminding drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. However, many have commented that such features actively contradict claims that the system is self-driving. 

    While the Autopilot software is certainly impressive, it is clearly not self-driving. Assertions by Musk to the contrary are irresponsible at best and downright negligent at worst. As long as the system is causing fatal accidents and requires constant driver monitoring, it can’t be called self-driving. Calling it anything other than what it is, which is advanced cruise control, is anti-consumer and dangerous.  

    Maybe the day will come when Tesla vehicles are truly self-driving. Perhaps Tesla is on the verge of a breakthrough, and next year their vehicles will be totally autonomous. However, until such a day that the system doesn’t cause fatal accidents, that promise might as well be for a distant future we will never live to see. 

  • HTC U12 Plus: Too Ambitious For its Own Good?

    HTC U12 Plus: Too Ambitious For its Own Good?

    The highly unusual and ambitious HTC U12 Plus is here. What’s the verdict? Well, it’s certainly weird. Let’s get into the specifics.  

    Buttonless Design 

    The lack of buttons on this phone is a lot more awkward than it needs to be. While the design decision makes sense, given that real buttons act as weak points in normal phones, the execution is poor. It feels forced, like it was a box to be checked off on a list titled “futuristic phone features.” While the side-squeeze customization is nice, it’s tiring to use. Being able to call up specific apps by squeezing the phone is certainly unique though, and we hope to see similar designs incorporated into future phones. It is worth wondering if the phone wouldn’t have been better off just having normal buttons. 

    Screen and Cameras 

    The screen is large and pretty, which is to be expected from a modern smartphone. It looks fine and is truly nothing special. It washes out in direct sunlight, unfortunately, making it feel a bit cheaper than most modern smartphones.  

    Similarly, the cameras are fine. You won’t be taking studio-quality pictures or filming any breathtaking footage, but they’ll suffice. The phone uses a dual-camera setup that works pretty well, which, again, is to be expected. It offers bokeh-style portraits, which has become industry standard, and they look quite good.  

    HTC U12 Plus Processor 

    HTC’s newest phone sports a Snapdragon 845 processor, which makes it speedy and responsive. It keeps up with modern smartphones like the Galaxy S9, but lags behind the iPhone X’s excellent A11 Bionic processor. That said, so does every other phone currently on the market, so it’s hard to knock the U12 Plus too much in that regard. 

    Battery Life 

    The battery life on the HTC U12 Plus is a joke, which is a shame. Testing has shown that the phone barely gets through 12 hours of video playback. This means you’ll have to charge it daily, and if you watch videos or play games often, consider carrying a charger with you. This would have disappointing in 2008, and it’s inexcusable in 2018. 

    Bottom Line 

    HTC’s newest phone costs $800 for the 64GB model, or $850 for the 128GB version. For a phone that is as awkward and disappointing as this, that price point is a deal breaker. Unless you particularly love the idea of a button-free phone, give this one a pass. Check out the Galaxy S9 or iPhone X for better phones in this price range, you won’t be disappointed. 

  • Top Ten Tools Every Small Business Needs

    You’re looking to start a small business, huh? Well, you’ve definitely got a lot on your plate. What are some tools and software suites that can help lighten that load and make things easier? We’ve got a list of the top ten things that every small business needs to succeed. From invoicing software to analytics, we’ve tried to think of everything you may have missed. With these tools and some business know-how, you’re bound to do great! 

    Project Management Software 

    OmniFocus, Jira and a few other platforms are great examples of project management software. Tools to help keep projects organized and on-time are a must for any small business. If you’re concerned with meeting deadlines and efficiently finishing projects, having access to oversight tools is important. Those working on the project can log their progress through the project software, allowing you to keep up-to-date on its status. That way, if issues arise, you’ll be kept up to speed with the project. Checking back through logs to see what worked, and what didn’t, will help ensure future projects go even better.  

    Invoicing Software 

    While your project management is important for internal operations, in order for things to keep operating, you have to get paid. As such, picking an invoicing software to familiarize yourself with is important. Many businesses prefer the easy-to-use Microsoft Excel, pictured above. You’ve probably used it before and making invoices in it is a breeze. In fact, Microsoft’s Office Suite of programs is so universally useful, you’d be hard-pressed to find a reason to not have it. Other programs do exist for those who prefer them, though. FreshBooks and QuickBooks are two popular examples, both of which are perfectly serviceable. The important thing, of course, is being comfortable and famliar with your chosen invoicing software.  

    Point of Sale System

    In the same vein as invoicing, your money has to come in somehow. If you’re operating a storefront, you’ll need a point of sale system. A favorite of small business owners is the excellent and business-friendly Square platform. You can use an iPad with a stand and card reader, if you’d like, allowing a rather inexpensive and elegant way to handle transactions. Those looking for more traditional software have a wealth of options available to them, as well, though they are often much more expensive. Solutions like EPOS Now and Merchant Account Solutions are quite popular, though they are a bit more difficult to set-up than Square. 

    Communication Apps 

    Staying in touch with your employees and clients is important. The best ways to keep in touch? Apps like Skype and Slack. Using Skype for Business is a great way to integrate your Skype contacts into your everyday business. Video conferences with clients and business partners are easy with Skype. Rather than having to hop on a plane across country, you can simply video chat in! On the other end of the spectrum, the Slack app is great for keeping in touch with employees. Slack is designed for business and is great for workplace productivity and communication. 

    Ride-Sharing Platforms

    It’s quite likely your small business doesn’t have a driver on-site. For all the times you need to jet across town for a meeting but won’t have time to find parking, consider a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. These apps offer relatively inexpensive rides and help you get where you’re going on time and without having to worry about the drive time. Until you can afford your own driver, a ride-sharing app is a pretty close approximation!  

    E-Signing Apps

    Echo Sign, DocuSign and other services are great to consider for your business. Offering digital uploading and signing of documents, digital singing apps are great for streamlining your business. If you have distant clients that need to sign documents but no fax machine, these are a life-saver! They’re also great for employees who are off-site to sign tax documents and releases. Strongly consider use of these applications when you need documents signed!  

    Drop Box

    It’s hard to overstate how important the cloud will be to your business if you implement it well. Drop Box is an app built around cloud storage. If you have files you want to share, Drop Box is how you do it. Connecting all of your devices is easy, and you can access your Drop Box from anywhere. Instead of having to remember to bring thumb drives or laptops with you, just upload relevant files to the cloud and pull them up on any device with your login information. Streamlining all your files in one place is a great way to appear organized and professional! 

    Social Media Presence

    You probably guessed this would be on the list. Having a strong social media presence is very important, even if it doesn’t seem that way. Being on Facebook and Twitter is a must, as many potential customers will encounter your business through there first. For businesses aimed at younger people, Instagram is another social media platform worth being on. Managing your social media platforms isn’t terribly hard or time-consuming, but it makes a huge difference. Younger demographics are much more likely to recognize and engage with your brand if you have a strong social media presence. That said, social media is no substitute for a true web presence via your own website. 

    A Great Website

    Not every startup can afford to pay a professional web designer to help set up their website. If you’re looking for a resource to create a website, there are some great options out there. Go Daddy is a popular tool, offering great beginner resources for creating an aesthetically pleasing, informative site. The site offers a great deal of support via live troubleshooting and advice from professionals. Go Daddy even incorporates WordPress support for blogging. Another popular choice is Wix, a “no-programming” website builder. Wix uses a drag-and-drop interface so you can make a site that you like the look of on the fly. Whichever one you choose, make sure to create a site that matches your brand and vision. Most customers’ first experience with your business will be through your site, so make sure to make that first impression count!  

    The Most Critical Small Business Tool: Google Analytics

    Analytics are what your business will live or die by. Your web presence is everything in the modern era, and every startup needs to ensure their image is right. Using Google’s analytics software will help you see traffic to your site broken down into readable, informative graphs. The information gleaned is concise and you can act on it confidently, knowing you understand the meaning behind the raw data. Without use of analytics, you’re shooting in the dark. With analytics, you know your target and how to hit. Breakdowns by demographic, country and traffic types are all available, helping you hone your web marketing. With these tools and the right execution, you’ll be setting yourself up for success. 


  • Which Smart Thermostat is Our Favorite?

    Which Smart Thermostat is Our Favorite?

    Everyone wants to be comfortable in their own house. That’s a given! However, it can be a pain to have to constantly mess with the thermostat. If you’re like me, you’d probably rather just set it and forget it and let automation take over. Well, good news! If you grab a smart thermostat, you can do just that! Which one is our top pick? Read on! 

    Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Programmable Thermostat 

    Photo Credit: Supply House 

    The coolest thing about the Sensi Thermostat is that it doesn’t require a C-Wire to hook up! What this means is that you can set this smart thermostat up in houses you normally couldn’t. This thermostat gets a nod for its great price, coming in at $118, and good app support. You can control it from anywhere with the app, and you can even set programs to cycle throughout the day, or week. It can even run on a pair of AA batteries! For those who aren’t as tech-savvy but still want a programmable thermostat, this one is for you! 

  • Looking for a Small but Powerful Phone? Try the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

    Looking for a Small but Powerful Phone? Try the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

    Most phone manufacturers tend to keep their phones as big as they can feasibly be and still fit in your pocket. Sony, however, is trying to look out for the little guy. Or, at least, the little guy’s little hands. There are few phones as small as the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact that pack the same amount of power. Here’s a quick rundown of our thoughts on Sony’s small wonder. 

    The Specs 

    The biggest issue with most phones this small—and it is small, coming in with a 5-inch screen—is that they’re not powerful. A QUALCOMM 845 processor is inside this little machine. For those unfamiliar, that’s a pretty hefty processor. For context, that’s a processor that beats the Google Pixel 2 in benchmark tests. If you like playing games or editing photos on your phone, the Xperia XZ2 Compact won’t disapoint. 

    The other powerful thing running under the hood is the camera. Sporting a 19-megapixel camera that shoots at 960 frames-per-second in HD, it’s no joke. You’re not going to be disappointed in the quality of photos or videos from the Compact. The selfie cam is only 5-megapixel, but that’s a small trade-off for this small phone. Additionally, the phone only has one rear-facing camera and one front-facing camera. As such, it has no portrait mode or other such features. This is a small complaint, but those used to high-end smartphones will notice it. 

    Design 

    On the design side, the phone is a bit bland. You could almost describe the design as boring. That said, the only other powerful phone this size is the iPhone SE. So, you’re sort of stuck with this design if you like Android. Fitting easily in a pocket or purse, it’s easily used with one hand. It has very small bezels, maximizing the screen size in spite of the incredibly small handset size.  

    A big negative to the phone, though, is the lack of a headphone jack. It seems that particular port had to be dropped to help the phone keep its slim profile. There is a conversion dongle with the phone, but using it means you can’t charge your phone and listen to music at the same time. You could opt for a set of Bluetooth headphones, but it’s a bummer in any event.  

    Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact: Bottom Line 

    If you’re in the market for a small handset and want it running Android, you’re sort of stuck with this one. That said, it’s actually a really good phone! It costs $650, which is really reasonable for how powerful it is. So, if you’re tired of putting your phone in one-hand mode or having to reach across a massive handset, this is a good choice. Those in the market for a compact phone won’t be disappointed! 

  • Futuristic Cyberpunk 2077 Could Be Future of Video Games

    Futuristic Cyberpunk 2077 Could Be Future of Video Games

    Acclaimed developer CD Projekt Red is fresh off the success of the Witcher 3, their farewell to the long-running fantasy RPG. At E3 this year, they had a new game to show off: futuristic RPG Cyberpunk 2077. The game looks like it could very well represent the future. Not just the future our flawed world is barreling into headlong, but the future of gaming. At the E3 demo, it seemed that anything the player chooses to do its possible. The promise of games like Deus Ex and Thief, of a completely immersive simulation, could be getting closer to reality. 

    Bloodstains Under Neon 

    Since William Gibson first wrote Neuromancer in 1984, the Cyberpunk genre has been synonymous with sex and violence. In that monumental work, protagonist Case is pulled into a web of crime, lies and violence by a beautiful, dangerous woman named Molly Millions. In that violent work, our heroes are hardly better than our villains, and the only lines dividing them are perspective. CD Projekt Red’s new game shares that spirit. The world is mean and neon and dirty, looking to chew up and consume any who take a wrong turn. If you’ve ever seen Blade Runner, you know the feeling they’re going for.  

    Fully Immersive 

    Looking cool and being powerful are all a core aspect of the cyberpunk fantasy, and this game seems to know how to deliver in that regard. Protagonist V is almost entirely in the player’s hands. The character’s backstory, skills and style are all up to the player. Clothing options can change your look and increase your stats. V is also a cyborg, so you can enhance your protagonist by upgrading various cybernetic parts. The developers have crafted a fully immersive world using the visual language of the cyberpunk genre. 

    Every action you can take, from driving to hacking to just conversing, is promised to have wide-ranging impact on the game’s world. If you go for a drive and hit a pedestrian, you’ll not only get heat from the police, but you’ll also be known as a careless and violent jerk to the people of Night City. Carefully considering one’s actions and reputation seems to be a core gameplay mechanic, one that truly fits in an immersive RPG. 

    When Can We Get Hands-On with Cyberpunk 2077? 

    We’re asking the same question, dear reader, and, sadly, we don’t know. But you can rest assured we’ll let you know as soon as we find out. Heck, we’ll be the first in line to buy the game whenever it does drop! It’s still early, but the game already looks like a contender for one of the greatest RPGs of all time. 

    Feature Image Credit: Screen Rant 

  • Composer for Captain Marvel First Woman to Compose MCU Film

    Composer for Captain Marvel First Woman to Compose MCU Film

    Marvel’s Cinematic Universe has been dominating the box office and critically acclaimed. The universe the films take place in feels huge and limitless, and viewers can always expect to be wowed and inspired by Marvel’s outings. From talking raccoons to gods duking it out, anything seems possible in the MCU. Well, except a woman leading a film. Until Captain Marvel, that is. Captain Marvel, one of the company’s biggest names, will star in her own feature film next year. The film’s composer, Pinar Toprak, will be the first woman composing a film in the MCU, too.  

    Pinar Toprak’s Stellar Resume 

    Toprak is no slouch, either; Marvel fans can rest easy knowing she’s got some serious compositional chops. The Captain Marvel composer has previously composed scores for Syfy’s Krypton series, another sci-fi comic book outing. Superman and Captain Marvel both have similar powers and settings. As such, providing the score for a super-powered space-traveler will come naturally to Toprak! Toprak also did the score for the smash-hit video game Fortnite, which you may have heard of by now.  

    Captain Marvel in the MCU 

    Brie Larson will play Captain Marvel, real name Carol Danvers. The film is being directed by the duo of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, and is set to be the 21st in the MCU. Her film will be set in the 1990’s and will act as an origin story and introduction.  

    In the comics, Carol inherits the mantle of Captain Marvel from an alien superhero named Mar-Vell. As such, comic fans are excited to see how this version of the character gets her name and powers. Oddly, Mar-Vell is part of the Kree race of aliens. (We saw them in Guardians of Galaxy; Ronan the Accuser is one.) Fans are eager to know if Danvers is the first Captain Marvel of her world, or if she inherits the mantle from another character. We’ll know for sure when her solo outing lands on March 8th, 2019! 

    Feature Image Credit: Highsnobriety 

  • Looking to Stay Frosty in the Great Outdoors? Check out Our Favorite Backpack Cooler List!

    Looking to Stay Frosty in the Great Outdoors? Check out Our Favorite Backpack Cooler List!

    There’s nothing quite like hiking in the wilderness. The fresh air, the plants and animals, and the times spent with good friends really make spirits rise. In the heat of summer, though, you want to make sure you have enough ice-cold drinks to cool down! It’s not easy to lug a cooler around the hiking path, though, so you’re going to need a cooler backpack. We’ve got a round-up of our favorites right here! 

    Mountain Khakis Compass 

    This rectangular pack is almost two feet deep and can hold thirty dry cans of beer or soda. If you include ice, it’ll hold about half that number. This is awesome for those long hikes! It has a high quality make, including a fantastic water-resistant zipper and body. The bottom is molded and keeps it shape even on long hikes under a ton of weight. There’s even a zipper inside for ice packs or other small things so you can keep them from being lost amidst your drinks. It also sports a drop-in, waterproof liner that can be pulled out for easy cleaning! 

    Polar Bear Solar Bear 

    The Solar Bear cooler is perfect for spending a long time in the hot sun. The exterior is made of a UV-blocking polymer and is thick and excellent at insulating its contents. Polar Bear promises the pack can keep drinks cold for 24 hours, even under direct sunlight! The design is also highly water-resistant, and it’s durable and great for long hikes. If you’re expecting to be in temperatures at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, this is a great pick! The best part is, it costs less than $100! 

    Our Favorite Backpack Cooler: Orca Podster 

    The Podster pack is awesome, sporting materials and make that would make some kayaks jealous. It’s highly water-resistant, durable and can keep food and drink cool for days. The interior is 14.5 quarts, which means you can carry a pretty sizable picnic or number of drinks. It also comes in a gorgeous array of colors and looks amazing in all of them. A truly unique and stylish backpack cooler!