Month: October 2018

AT&T Senior Plans They Don’t Tell You About

All four major US carriers offer discounted plans if the subscriber is older than 65, and Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint’s plans are available to people over the age of 55. While AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint have all spent the past year boasting of unlimited data plans, they’ve been a little less forthcoming about a different set of plans that deserve just as much fanfare. The Senior Plans. Most carriers offer a discounted version of their standard unlimited data plan with senior use in mind. Today lets see what AT&T is offering the baby boomers with there AT&T Senior Plans.

The AT&T Senior Plans

If you’re 65 or older, the AT&T Senior Nation plan gives you 200 Anytime Minutes, Unlimited Mobile to Mobile Minutes, and 500 Nights and Weekends minutes, without roaming and long distance charges. This plan will only cost $29.99 and works with all non smartphones. So break out that old nokia and hook it up. Even if you just leave it in the glove box for emergencies.

What about Smartphones? The baby boomers are the largest growth market for the smartphone sector. Everyone else already has them. Well, If you are an AARP member you can get an additional 10%. Plus Waived activation and upgrade fees. If you are looking for the right smartphone to get yourself connected, AT&T is also offering seniors the iphone SE for only $12 a month.

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The Best AT&T Senior Plan

The plan I like the best for the not so into your smartphone group is AT&T Senior Plan for Prepaid. The plan is $35 smartphone plan with 1 gig of data, also discounted by $5 with auto pay. With that you get unlimited mins/text and 1gb of data. With the auto pay discount that is only $30 a month, plus no monthly taxes. You will however have to pay the state sales tax. The only downside to that is that you have to purchase your phone at a full retail cost, none of those delicious two year contract freebies.

October 3, 2018
The Fix and Update to the iPhone XS Charging Issue

The iphone XS and XS Max are tremendously successful. While the release has not been the blockbuster event it usually is in the US it was all in all a great launch and a wonderful iPhone day celebration. However there have been massive complaints about Apple’s fancy new iPhone XS, The iPhone XS charging issue. It appeared that when the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max started arriving in people’s hands late last month with the iPhone XS charging issue. Reports started that the iPhone wouldn’t charge when connected to a lightning cable while the screen was asleep.

Reports say the phone would recognize the charger. It would give that comforting buzz and alert sound that let you all know power is good and on its way to iPhone glory. Sadly the phones were not charging. I have tried to duplicate the issues but with no success.

Now Apple never commented publicly on the issue, but a beta update out today (iOS 12.1) solves the problem. I have been using me XS Max since the launch date with no charging issue what so ever. It is still in Beta so it has to be thoroughly tested before a commercial release. Apple is already advertising how iOS 12.1 comes with some new emoji as well. That is good news and the release should be available soon.

I Have the Fix for the iPhone XS Charging Issue

However if you are having the iphone charging issues the Media is dubbing “Chargegate”. They tend to over react when ever their is a problem with the iphones. remember in 2010 when the electricity in your body was causing iphone 4 to drop calls. Was that casegate or antennagate? I can remember. Needless to say I have a fix for chargegate… QI

Qi?

Qi (the Chinese word for “energy flow“, pronounced like the “chee“ in “cheese“) is the universal standard for wireless charging of battery operated devices like cell phones, iPods, MP3 players and cameras. The wireless power transfer occurs through electromagnetic induction. With inductive charging the required power reaches the device not through a traditional cable but rather wirelessly through the use of electromagnetic fields. The principle is very simple: the Qi Sender (Charging Station) transfers the required energy to the Qi receiver (the mobile phone).

Simply using a relatively inexpensive Qi wireless charger, readily available on Amazon… Problem is solved. No need for hysterics, and the update will be out soon.

October 2, 2018
Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

If you rely on Medicare for your health care, you might have found that Medicare doesn’t cover everything. For those on a fixed income, it can be extremely difficult to afford medication or any additional health care costs not covered by Medicare.

If you are in a difficult situation where the health care bills are piling up, consider Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Medicare Supplemental Insurance is insurance that can help cover what Medicare doesn’t. We analyzed several plans with our experts and today we are breaking down the Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance!

Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

Information About Supplemental Insurance

An important note: in order to get supplemental insurance, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Part A covers inpatient, and Part B covers outpatient care. Anoter factor to consider is Supplemental insurance only covers one person. Additionally, as long as you’re paying your premiums, Medicare supplemental insurance can’t drop you, no matter what medical issues you may begin to suffer from.

Supplemental insurance won’t always cover everything Medicare doesn’t. Supplemental insurance is not going to cover all expenses. Things like vision, dental, prescriptions, long term care and private nursing are also not typically covered. Finally, supplemental insurance must be acquired within the first sixth months of you turning 65 and you must already be on Medicare to qualify.

United Healthcare Insurance Company

The United Healthcare Insurance Company is endorsed by the AARP, and for good reason. This company offers a great deal of benefits for those on Medicare. They have a 94 percent user satisfaction, which is stellar. They also offer coverage that can be combined with a Medicare Part D plan. Those with this policy can visit any doctor that accepts Medicare! United Healthcare allows you to choose from a wide variety of plans, coverage, deductibles and benefits so you have coverage to fit your health needs and your financial situation.

State Farm

State Farm is another option for supplemental insurance. State Farm Medicare Supplement Insurance is designed to cover the gaps in Medicare, helping to pay deductibles, coinsurance and copayment amounts not covered by Medicare. State Farm also provides you the flexibility to choose between different plans to meet your individual needs and budget. They are a well-respected agency and are renowned for their high customer satisfaction ratings “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is There” tagline is very true. State Farm insurance might be able to cover hospital or medical services your Medicare won’t pay for as well.

Humana

Humana offers Medicare supplemental insurance that covers Medicare Part A and B. Humana’s policy covers coinsurance for medical expenses, co pays, hospice care and hospitalization, skilled nursing facility care, and blood work. Additionally, the Humana plan also covers copayments for outpatient services. Remember, this is in addition to your Medicare coverage, so getting this extra coverage could save you a lot of money when you have expensive outpatient services. Particularly if you have frequent doctor’s visits, you may find yourself saving a ton with this supplementary policy.

October 2, 2018
Check Out Elon’s New Hyperloop Capsule

Hyperloop is Elon Musk’s hypefast,blazing transport technology of the future. We have been following its design and progress closely. The design is simple and the objective is to transport people through low-pressure steel tubes at speeds to match a typical passenger aircraft. . Hyperloop technology has been in development for six years. Engineers envision a system that uses magnet-powered passenger capsules in a vacuum tube to accelerate travellers to rapid speeds, drastically cutting travel times. We today we have further updates and progress, The first full-size Hyperloop capsule designed to carry passengers at 1,000 kilometers per hour (620 mph) was unveiled. Lets all take a look and marvel and the future of travel.

First Look: Hyperloop Capsule

The sleek capsule was unveiled Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain. Near where it was constructed at the aerospace facilities of Airtificial, a partner of Hyperloop TT. It is gorgeous in its black,white, gray, red, and blue coloring. Weighting in at 5 tons and almost 100 feet long, dub the “Quintero One”. This is the magical tube that will connect the world.

The Presentation took place this afternoon in Spain, the CEO of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, one of several companies racing to deliver on Elon Musk’s dream of high-speed tube travel, unveiled his company’s first full-scale passenger capsule.

“In just five years we have solved and improved upon all of the technology needed for Hyperloop with our new levitation system, vacuum pumps, batteries, and smart composites,” CEO Dirk Ahlborn added. “This capsule will be a part of one of the most efficient transportation systems ever made.”

The Final Thought

As small as this seems and news and developments are monumental. This is like getting a front row seat to the wright brothers experiments. We are hear watching the world evolve and Elon Musk is heading the evolution. Soon they will start the track test for these capsules. Warp speed!

October 2, 2018
Microsoft HoloLens 2 slated for 2019 release

Microsoft will apparently released the long awaited Hololens 2 in the first quarter of 2019. Code-named Sydney within Microsoft, the device will be cheaper than the original (which costs $3,000), be lighter in weight, and more comfortable to wear, according to a news reports. At this time, we don’t know a whole lot of what Hololens 2 will be outfitted with, but the word is Microsoft is going all in on this one. Upon its release, Hololens 2 is fully expected to surpass Google AR goggles and the Oculus Rift.

What We Know So Far

According to Alex Kipman, Microsoft Technical Fellow of the Windows and Devices Group and key advocate for HoloLens, it’s been earmarked for the new version of the AR headset that the company has in the pipeline. Indeed, the HoloLens team had already previewed some of the news about the new sensor earlier in the year, beating CEO Satya Nadella to the punch. The sensor has 1024 x 1024 resolution, Kipman says, and a global shutter for improved performance in sunlight conditions. It has the highest figure of merit, too – that is to say, the highest modulation frequency and modulation contrast – which means lower power consumption. Indeed, overall system power is just 225-950 mw. That’s despite adding things like automatic per-pixel gain selection, for a broader dynamic range. That will give HoloLens 2 better abilities at capturing both near and far objects. There’s multiphase depth calculation support, which will preserve accuracy even if the chip, laser, or power supplies vary.

“With HoloLens, we saw incredible results when we took some of the magic of Kinect and applied it in a mixed reality context,” Kipman writes “The current version of HoloLens uses the third generation of Kinect depth-sensing technology to enable it to place holograms in the real world. With HoloLens we have a device that understands people and environments, takes input in the form of gaze, gestures and voice, and provides output in the form of 3D holograms and immersive spatial sound.”

Summary

At an expected cost of around $3,000.00 it’s hard to say what can be expected for the Hololens 2. If the hype around it is real, then it maybe worth scraping up some dough and getting yourself a new toy. For now, I’ll anxiously await to hear more about the specs on these bad boys.

October 2, 2018
TOP TIRE BRANDS OUT THERE

Do you have the highest rated tires on your car? Did you know that a new set of tires can improve your cars MPG, performance and safety? Don’t you deserve the safest, highest rated tires for your car?

If you are shopping for new tires for your car, it’s worth it to look around a bit to get the best prices for the best quality tires you can afford. New tires on your car can even help you get better mileage, and will perform better in inclement weather, like thunderstorms with intense rain or snow. Here are five of the highest rated tires you can buy for your car, sedan or SUV.

These tires are all considered to be “all season” tires that can be used year-round.

Goodyear

Goodyear leads the industry with their “Goodyear Eagle LS-2 ROF” which sell for about $230 per tire. They are especially quiet on the road and have a tread that will stand up to rain and snowy conditions. You don’t have to worry about hydroplaning with these tires, because they are specifically made to combat these wet, slick conditions. They even have special “run on flat” technology that will allow you to coast on your flat tire for a short distance, even going as fast as 50 mph.

The Continental

The Continental tire company makes a “True Contact” ($130) tire for all weather driving that is rated highly by consumer testing companies. These tires have a special “multi-directional” grip that help it to be quiet on the road. They also promise that lower rolling resistance will improve the gas mileage your car gets on the road. Plus, when you buy a full set of Continental tires they will give you free towing for up to three years if you get a flat tire anywhere around the country. That’s a nice incentive to buy their tires.

Michelin

Michelin is another highly rated tire company that makes many different models of tires depending on what you need. Their “Energy Saver LX4” ($193) tire is one that would be a top choice. This is one of their original model tires and is still one of their best sellers today. You have to trust the Michelin Man right?

Hankook

Hankook”Optimo H727″ ($220) is the brand’s highest rated tire. These tires are made with special grooves, and hundreds of “sipes” that grip the road for an especially safe ride. You can count on these in severe weather to get you to your destination without incident. Plus, their “converging lateral slots” help to make the ride quiet, tamping down road noises. Keep in mind as well, that the price given for each tire model is the price of just one tire, and you will need four of them. It is a worthwhile investment because it truly makes your car safer in severe weather to have quality, highly rated tires on your vehicle. Now is the perfect time to get a new set of tires for your automobile, before something goes wrong with your old worn ones.

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October 2, 2018
The Vaultek MX Takes The Next Step Forward in Gun Safe Technology

Vaultek recently released the new state of the art gun safe “The MX” which comes fully loaded with Biometrics and all sorts of smart tech to make accessing your weapons easy in an emergency situation, but extremely secure when when being stored away. Complete with a smart phone app that can access the safe and log everytime the safe is opened, there is no better way to store your weaponry.

The Vault MX

Here is some basic information about the operations of the safe: The all new MX Series, the latest addition to Vaultek’s rugged line of smart safes. Designed to offer the largest interior space available from Vaultek with custom options the enthusiast gun owner will love. Height Adjustable shelf has (3) positions and slides out for convenient access. Modular Accessories can clip in where you like for full customization. Twin Pistol Rack with non-reactive foam is included and additional pistol racks as well as a non-reactive foam Magazine Rack can be purchased separately that stores up to (8) magazines. Precision Engineered 14-gauge steel housing and 12-gauge door pens automatically. MX and VT Series safes are equipped with the fastest access point available, smart key. Another feature exclusive to MX and VT Series is impact detection. Securely anchor with supplied mounting hardware to mount horizontally or vertically. Anti-theft features include anti-pry bars, interior hinges, and dual anti-impact latches.

Integrated smart safe technology raises personal security to a new level with upgraded high-resolution fingerprint scanner (only biometric model) storing up to 20 different user IDs. Remotely access the safe using the APP 2.0 from your smartphone to check power levels, view safe history, detect tampering, and customize your safe preferences. A built-in interior red light provides high visibility of your items. The backlit keypad illuminates via proximity sensor making it easy to navigate at night and features several hot key entries including toggling the Bluetooth on/off. The control panel features an LCD screen for prompt safe feedback and status updates. Long lasting rechargeable lithium ion battery keeps you powered for months, and only needs 2.5 hours to recharge with the included micro-USB charging kit. Vaultek is on mission to keep your belongings secure and out of the wrong hands. Exterior Dimensions 15″ x 11.5″ x 11.6″. Interior Dimensions 13″ x 11″ x 8.6″. U.S

October 2, 2018
7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

Cheap airfare, it’s something we’re all looking for. Finding decent prices on flights can be difficult though. It is human nature to want to travel, to explore your horizons and see new places, or perhaps, to return to the places you once knew.

Whether you want to visit home or see an exotic location, airline travel is fast, but costs a lot of money. What is the best way for finding cheap airline tickets? How do you even start? Whether you are traveling for work, for vacation, or to visit family or friends, finding cheap airfare can help you save on what’s often the largest expense of your trip.

If you’re trying to take a trip and keep finding it difficult to get a decent price, you’re probably looking for some new travel hacks to help you save some money. Well, the good news is that we’re here to help. Let’s talk about the best ways to fly for cheap! Read more below to learn about who is offering the best rates at an amazing price $73 and $39 for one-way flights!

Best Ways to Fly for Cheap

Compare Airfares

Airfares vary widely, and discount airfare is out there for those who know where to look. The most important thing is that you make sure to compare airfares. The rates offered by one airline may be much higher or lower than the rates of another. If you use one of the popular travel sites, you can easily compare airfares from different airlines.

Also, if you have any flexibility in your schedule, try putting different dates into the sites’ ticket finders to see if that makes a difference. For example, currently, Southwest Airlines is offering flights as low as $73, and Delta is offering flights as low as $39 during the holiday season.

Use Reputable Flight Search Engines

Some flight search engines actually get a cut from airlines when they help generate sales. That means that you could search for “budget flights” and have normal or even premium flights show up. In order to counter this, use reputable search engines that don’t mislead you. Great options are Skyscanner, Momondo, AirWander and JetRadar. Like we said previously don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best price.

Get Tickets Early

Get your tickets early — but not too early. You may think it would be smart to buy tickets six months in advance, but in fact, getting tickets more than five months before you need them may keep you from getting the best fares. Aim for two to four months in advance, if possible. If you can’t plan that far in advance, at least try to avoid the two-week period right before a flight, when ticket prices tend to go up.

Specialty sites like “air fare watch dog” provide a medium for you to search for deals between two specific locations, and also can send you alerts when prices drop to a much more affordable rate. This is perfect for those who know where they want to travel, just are not too concerned about when. They can snag a great deal and plan their trip once they get that informative e-mail from the website.

Airport Selection

Fly in or out of airports that are not in your destination city. If you are flying into New York City, you may be able to get cheaper fares at the Newark airport than you would in New York City’s JFK Airport. If you are going to or from San Francisco, try the Oakland or San Jose airports. Many other cities also have airports that are nearby but outside of the city limits. Flying out of an alternate airport isn’t even necessarily a hardship. For example, If you are going to some parts of Manhattan, ground transportation may get you there faster from Newark than from JFK.

You will benefit on price, though, because not as many people will think of using the other airports, so the seats won’t sell out as quickly. Always think in terms of supply and demand when trying to find cheap airfare.

Non-Direct Flights

Accept a little inconvenience in exchange for a cheaper price. You may be able to save money on long trips by taking routes where you change planes rather than taking a non-stop flight. If you’re not in a hurry, you don’t need to pay a premium for the faster route. Try traveling lighter to avoid the luggage fees that so many airlines are charging now. Be creative in figuring out how to get by with fewer things on your trip.

Incognito Mode

Lock up your search history tight and don’t look back. When you start looking at flights and trips, make sure you’re in incognito mode. When you search for flight prices, sites use cookies to track how many times you’ve looked at the flight. Each new time you look, the price goes up. Why? Well, to get you to buy as soon as possible so you “lock in the lowest price.” Yeah, it’s dirty, but you can fight back!

By browsing incognito, you won’t have any cookies tracking you. This allows you to bypass this dirty trick and get a better price for your flight!

Find the Cheapest Days to Book

Try to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, if possible. Those are often the cheapest days of the week. If possible, avoid Fridays and Sundays, when rates tend to go up. Flying right before a major holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, is going to be very expensive. But if you are able to fly on the day of the holiday itself, you can usually pick up some very cheap fares because not many people want to fly then.

October 2, 2018
Best Hair Loss Remedies

Hair loss is more than just embarrassing, it’s downright frustrating. It can be absolutely infuriating to watch your appearance change despite your best efforts to prevent it from happening. Did you know that hair loss can be slowed down or even reversed?

While wearing hats and combing your hair a certain way can help, eventually you have to face the problem head-on. Medication, hair transplants, or natural remedies can help to slow or stop the loss of hair. Hair loss most commonly occurs when the hair follicle shrinks. As the hair grows shorter and thinner, the follicle eventually stops growing new hair. The good news is that while hair no longer grows, the follicles do remain alive. With the help of different treatments, there is the possibility to grow new hair again. If you’re having trouble with hair loss, try some of these hair loss remedies!

Top Hair Loss Remedies

Natural Methods

We recommend starting with simple, natural hair loss remedies. There are a variety of natural remedies you can try out if you’re having trouble with hair loss. Vitamin’s A, E and B are all known to encourage hair growth natural. Omega-3 is also a great natural way to encourage your hair to grow! Saw palmetto is another favorite natural remedy, as is massaging essential oils into the scalp. Finally, simply attempting to reduce your overall stress level, and combing and styling your hair gently, can help your hair grow and stick around!

Rogaine

Rogaine is a highly-recommended medicinal treatment for hair loss. Minoxidil, as the drug is clinically called, has a satisfaction guarantee and is said to increase hair growth by 25% in three months. The medicine works over a long period of time, so patience is key! For those willing to stick with it, though, the treatment is said to be highly effective. It’s recommended, even after hair regrowth occurs, that you keep taking the medication to encourage the hair to not fall out again!

Surgery

A more extreme measure for those with serious hair loss is transplant surgery. While it might sound drastic, it’s actually rather safe and has a high rate of success. The surgery itself takes four to eight hours, and it’s generally considered rather costly. It’s also not covered by most insurance, meaning it’s usually undertaken as a last resort for those who are unhappy with their hair. That said, if you’ve tried everything and none of it is working, this is a good final option to try out.

October 2, 2018
5 “Smart Home” gadgets every house should have…

It’s 2018 folks, and the future is here. Astronauts are driving Tesla’s through space and the Reese’s company is doing some really innovative stuff with popcorn. With all this technology around us, it’s easy to take it all for granted and we sometimes don’t get all the use we can out of it and take advantage of smart home gadgets.

And the most important place you can use all this cool tech to your advantage is right in your very own home. Here are some amazing new smart home gadgets to make your life easier…

1. The iRobot Roomba

Ever since it’s inception in 2002, the Roomba vacuum has been an integral piece of smart home tech. With the ability to program this round robot to vacuum your home 7 days a week it can be a real time saver. With the latest 980 Model, the Roomba is more advanced that ever. With cutting edge mapping technology and dirt detection programs, this “set it and forget it” vacuum is a must have! For dog or pet owners life myself, I can stress it’s value enough. I have a lot on my plate and one thing I don’t to concern myself with is the daily sweeping thank to “Roger the Roomba”. Yes I named my Roomba, he’s family, folks. Word of advice…there are several competitors is the robot vacuum department, do yourself a favor and stick with the iRobot Roomba. You may a little more, but in this case “you get what you pay for”. This was been probably the best $900.00 I’ve ever spent.

2. The Nest Thermostat

Coming in at a price tag of $279.00, the Nest Thermostat is well worth the extra cost. Thanks to it’s smart and adaptive AI, the Nest knows when your home and learns your work schedule to monitor the A/C usage. You can also control the thermostat right form your Nest App on your mobile device to fine tune your A/C needs. For a native Floridan like myself, A/C usage and consumption is a real beast you have to tame. In the summer months, electric bills can soar thanks to primitive thermostats. There is nothing like a thermostat shutting down for the day knowing your at work, and then turn on a half hour before you get home so you don’t walk into a hot and muggy house. It’s just bliss. Once I had installed the Nest, I noticed an immediate 50% drop in my A/C consumption and a large drop in my electric bill respectively. This is a must have in your home.

3. Brilliant Light Switch

With the ability to control your homes, light, music, ambiance, and even take pictures with voice commands, the Brilliant light switch is a 2018 must have gadget for your home. Brilliant light switch also connects to several of your home’s smart gadgets such as Nest, Alexa, Sonos Speaker, Ring doorbell system, and more. Starting at $200.00 per panel, Brilliant Switch is a costly addition but this innovative new gadget gives your home a brain.

4. Amazon Echo and Echo Dot

This smart home “must” is quickly finding it’s way into every home, world wide. Alexa and Echo Dot, is a voice-controlled system that used to play music, make calls, send and receive messages, read the news, set alarms, and even order and Uber or takeout! With the capability of syncing up to Amazon-Fire, Apple Music, Audible, Pandora, and more, you easily find usage and justification for this piece of smart tech in your home. At a price tag of $150.00, the Amazon Echo has many uses to help in your home and is a fantastic smart home gadget. Word to the wise, Alexa has a built in microphone for consumer purposes that is ALWAYS LISTENING…Use responsibly.

5. The Ring II doorbell system

The Ring Video Doorbell, provides you with the capability to see who is at your door from the safety and comfort of your bed or couch. It lets you accept or deny visitor calls if you’re not home, and uses motion detection to alert you of activity on your doorstep even when the bell hasn’t been rung. By working off your home’s Wifi and mobile data, the 1080HD camera will alert your smart phone of any activity at your door step day or night. For an extra $3.00 a month, you can pay for cloud storage and have all moments video recorded for later purposes if desired. The newest model also has a 2 way intercom system, and infrared night vision. For that extra bit of security at a relatively inexpensive cost of $199.00, this doorbell is the must have for any smart home.

The Conclusion

With so many smart gadgets available, some better than others, these products can make our homes better, safer, and more convenient. 2018 is going to be a big tech year and the “smart home” business is growing evermore advanced daily. If you can pick-up just one of these items this year, you’ll be headed in the right direction. I’m still anxiously awaiting the release for Rosie the robot maid, but I may have to hold my breath for awhile.

October 2, 2018