Author: Cameron

Stop Losing Luggage!..Best Luggage Tracking Options

We’ve all been there. Waiting for your luggage to come around that conveyor belt, patiently standing around, just to realize that you’ve seen that pink suitcase come around three times and there’s no sign of your luggage.

If you’ve ever waited impatiently at a baggage claim only to slowly realize your luggage is not among the bags and boxes and suitcases on the carousel, you understand the frustration that can come from lost luggage. If you travel often, it’s not a question of if, but of when, you will find yourself standing in an airport somewhere wondering where your luggage is. Thanks to innovative technology, however, there is a solution that can help you keep track of your luggage no matter where it ends up. Luggage GPS locators are a small devices that attach to your luggage and work in much the same way as a cell phone over a GSM cellular network, helping to reunite you with your lost luggage, rather than waiting for the people who lost your luggage in the first place to find it for you.

These devices are designed to alert travelers to the location of their luggage quickly and easily, and there are quite a few to choose from, including LugLoc, Tile, Trackr and TrakDot. If you’re a frequent traveler or even an occasional traveler worried about keeping track of your luggage, keep reading to learn more about this innovative technology, so you never have to wonder where your luggage ended up again.

Best Luggage Tracking Options

Trak Dot

TrakDot is a popular device for keeping track of your luggage while you travel by using cellphone towers to pinpoint an approximate location. TrakDot uses two AA batteries and is a bit smaller than other gps tracking devices. The fairly small device fits right inside your luggage is fully airline compliant and you can track where the device is within a radius through the Trak Dot website.

TrakDot retails for around $50, which includes unlimited tracking in the first year, and then $19.99 per year after that, making this a great value for people who frequently travel.

LugLoc

A popular option, LugLoc is a GPS-enabled luggage tracker that you can pick up for roughly $60 (less if you purchase multiple units). It’s about $5 per month for the tracking service and access to the mobile tracking app, and you get your first 30 days with the service for free. In order for the device to be able to send a signal from anywhere in the world, it has to be equipped with a SIM card, much like your cell phone uses. LugLoc comes with its own SIM card, allowing your lost luggage to be located virtually anywhere it may end up. Once the luggage is tracked, the location will be sent to your mobile app.

LugLoc offers several payment options, including paying only when you use the service. For frequent travelers, however, paying monthly may be the more cost-effective option. To use the device, you’ll need to charge it before you leave, and a single charge lasts up to 15 days.

While the device is fairly accurate in locating your lost luggage, you won’t get an exact location. The LugLoc tracker tells you where your luggage is within a radius, allowing you to narrow down where it’s gone. That way, you have a good sense of whether it even came on the plane with you, is lost somewhere in the airport, or has been accidentally taken off.

Other Options

While those are the two most popular GPS-enabled devices, they’re not the only tracking solutions available. Other luggage tracking options include smaller devices, such as Tile and Trackr, which can be attached to a variety of things, including luggage, keys, purses and backpacks, so you’re never left wondering where you’ve left something.

Mainly these are used for keys or the remote control to the TV, but they can function as luggage trackers, too. These tiny devices are about the size of a quarter, have replaceable batteries and can easily be attached to your luggage or placed inside. They work by using Bluetooth technology, so they aren’t as far-reaching as other luggage tracking options, but can be a great way to locate lost items in your vicinity, which is especially great when traveling.

Regardless of which luggage tracking device you choose, be sure to consider cost and read user reviews, so you can get the best device for your needs and budget. Once you’ve found the one that works best for you, you can say goodbye to lost luggage forever with these handy devices! Happy travels!

November 29, 2018
Cyber Monday is Over, but You Can Still Save!

Just because Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over doesn’t mean that you can’t still find amazing sales on electronics and other gifts! In fact, you can still get some of the very same bargains you saw advertised this past weekend.

Cyber Week

Cyber Monday was originally the internet retailer’s answer to Black Friday. As the years went by, more and more people began shopping online and the two shopping holidays have more or less merged into one long weekend of incredible deals.

Lately, Cyber Monday has started stretching further out into the week… And it’s no surprise. Adobe announced that people spent $7.9 billion on Cyber Monday, making it the biggest online sales day ever. Some $24.2 billion was spent by shoppers between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday. Retailers are not going to throw their arms up and call it quits when shoppers are this hungry for savings on electronics and gifts.

Amazon has taken to calling the week after Cyber Monday “Cyber Monday Deals Week” and many of their savings, especially on Alexa products, are continuing the rest of the week. Plenty of other retailers are also continuing their sales through the week. If you thought that you missed out on a great bargain on electronics or gifts, then it’s worth looking again.

Free Shipping

Retailers are also offering tons of free shipping deals through the holiday shopping season and you can expect to continue to find 10 to 20 percent discount sales.

All in all, retailers are going to keep tempting customers with bargains until December 22^nd– the last day to have something shipped to arrive by Christmas Eve.

Inventory is the Challenge

The challenge these days is not to find a great sale – it’s to find a great sale before it sells out. The unfortunate reality for shoppers who miss Black Friday and Cyber Monday is that the hottest electronics and other gifts are no longer in inventory.

This also means that shopping after Christmas for inventory price slashes are going to become more and more rare. Finding the hottest items at the lowest prices will continue to happen on Black Friday, but as you can see, there are and will continue to be plenty of great sales between now and December 22^nd. Happy shopping!

November 29, 2018
Get Spinning! The 5 Best Spin Bike Choices for Home

Spinning is a great way to get into shape, but it can be tough getting up in the wee hours to travel to the gym or find a spinning class that fits with your schedule. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to this problem if you are struggling to find the time to hit the gym: put a spin bike in your home!

What is a Spin Bike?

To the uninitiated, it might seem like a bike is just a bike, but the spin bike has some unique qualities. For one thing, the spin bike is a hallmark of spin classes at the gym, which are known for upbeat music and an upbeat instructor. They work wonders at keeping you pumped and burning calories.

Aside from its gym roots, the key difference between the spin bike and a typical stationary bike is the flywheel. The spin bike features a large wheel, usually in the front and separated from the pedals, that provides resistance and momentum to mirror the experience of riding a bike outdoors. These flywheels are usually heavier, weighing in at more than 30 pounds. With its unique flywheel setup, you can expect an intense workout on the spin bike!

What to Look for in a Spin Bike?

If you’ve browsed spin bikes online, you may already be overwhelmed by all of the choices. Like with anything, when you’re shopping for a spin bike, you’re trying to find the features you need at the best possible price.

Resistance: The best bikes have a large range of resistances for novice and expert athletes alike.

Support: You want a stable bike that holds its own, so you can focus on your workout.

Materials: The bike’s longevity is dependent on the quality of its materials.

Technology: Technological innovations can make your biking experience better.

There are a lot of spin bikes out there to choose from, so to make life a little easier for you we are rounding up the top five spin bikes for working out at home!

NexHT Fitness Exercise Cycle

This spin bike uses a caliper style resistance mechanism and a 24.3-pound flywheel. This could be a problem to some users because the heavier the flywheel the smoother the ride. Some riders may experience some rocking while using this bike.

It features an LCD with five different functions to display Time, Speed, Distance and Calories. We’ll be the first to admit that this bike is best suited for casual users who want to ride while watching television rather than pushing themselves for a hard workout.

Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle
If you are looking for style and durability over whizbang features, then the Keiser M3i may be your best choice. It features magnetic resistance instead of physical resistance, so you’ll be able to spin to your heart’s content without making a lot of noise. Great for workouts after the kids go to bed!

There’s a computer display which can offer a variety of metrics such as heart rate, RPM, elapse time and resistance level. It also features Bluetooth connectivity so you can transfer your workout data to a compatible app.

Sunny Health & Fitness Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike

This model of spin bike lives somewhere in between “affordable” and “durable” for those who don’t want to spend a fortune but also don’t want to buy a piece of junk that’ll break down in a few months.

It uses a 40-pound flywheel to create a smooth ride and a caliper style resistance system. Calipers are a bit less reliable than direct friction brake pads and will need to be adjusted as time goes on, but again, the sacrifice is made for affordability.

There is no computer display, but it’s easy enough to mount a portable device if you already have one. Even without the extra features, the Sunny Health & Fitness Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike is a sturdy machine that feels good to pedal. You can go from sitting to standing without wobble.

Schwinn Fitness AC Performance Plus Indoor Cycling Bike

Schwinn may be best known for their traditional bikes, but this is a model of spin bike you should absolutely consider. If you want a spin bike that looks more like a traditional bike, then it will definitely catch your eye.

Like the Keiser M3i, the Schwinn features magnetic resistance rather than friction. With six working magnets, you can take this spin bike from beginner level to professional athlete level at the turn of a knob. There is no display, but the spin bike features Bluetooth technology so you can connect your favorite tracking app.

If you are looking for a spin bike that feels like an authentic outdoor riding experience, then look no further than this Schwinn.

The Peloton Bike
If you are looking for a high-end spin bike, then the Peloton Bike will draw your eye. It features magnetic resistance, a 21-inch display with built-in speakers, microphone and camera. You can connect it to WiFi and also supports Bluetooth audio and wireless ANT+ heart rate straps.

Why do you need all that? To join a virtual spin class, of course. Peloton’s online platform lets you watch live spin classes, previously recorded spin classes or even host your own! The online platform costs $39 per month, but those who live, eat and breathe spinning will find massive value in The Peloton Bike and its features.

November 29, 2018
Project Fi Becomes Google Fi

Three years ago, Project Fi launched as Google’s exploration of cell service and now it appears that Google is ready to bring Fi to the masses. Now known as Google Fi, the service has been expanded to support more phones, including iPhones and a majority of Android devices.

MVNO

Google Fi is what’s known as a “mobile virtual network operator,” or MVNO. This means that your actual service is still coming from larger carriers. Supported are T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular, and you are able to dynamically switch between carriers.

Pricing Made Easy

Possibly the best feature of Google Fi is the simple price model and a program called Bill Protection. You’ll pay just $20 per phone line and $10 per gig of data with a cap of $60 per month to prevent any surprises.

This is particularly great for devices that you may not use terribly often. Or for devices where you want a data-only SIM.

Commitment from Google

We won’t mention Google Fiber, which was a broadband initiative that started aggressively before floundering. But it is nice to see Project Fi graduate beyond “project” level and become a full-blown Google service.

Google’s expansion into supporting more phones, including iPhones, also shows a real commitment to the communication service.

iOS Support

Previously with Project Fi, you could purchase a data-only SIM for iPads to use as secondary devices. Fi SIMs have also historically worked in iPhones, but it was a process to adjust the data settings.

Now, Google is supporting iPhones directly and have released a Google Fi iOS app to help ease new customers into the MVNO. Direct support of the iPhone is still in beta and some features are currently reduced or missing.

Visual voicemails are the biggest missing feature, meaning that when someone leaves you a voicemail you will receive a text alert with a link to call and check your message rather than appearing in the native voicemail app. Furthermore, the VPN security feature that Android users can enjoy is currently missing from iOS.

Overall, it’s a big step forward for Google’s MVNO service. Those who love Google and want a simple, dynamic phone service should absolutely look into Google Fi.

November 29, 2018
The 7 Best American-Made Vehicles of 2018
When you want to shop for American-made cars or trucks, it can be difficult to know which are truly American-made. Automotive parts come from all over the world to be assembled in America. To further muddy the waters, some foreign plants use more American-made parts than our own domestic carmakers.

We’ve compiled a list of seven of the “most American-made vehicles” to help you get started in your purchase. And you may be surprised to see that the list isn’t just comprised of the big three Detroit automakers. There are surprises in store!

Jeep is #1

We’ll cut to the chase – and this probably isn’t a surprising fact – but Jeep Cherokee comes out on top. Although the parent company, Fiat Chrysler, is based in Europe, Jeep rises to the top of the list when you take into account which cars have the most American parts and support the most American factory jobs.

If you are a staunch supporter of American-made vehicles, you can simply do no better than buying a Jeep Cherokee.

The Surprising Results

Taking into account that the metric used is based on which cars have the most American-made parts and support the most American factory jobs, you may be surprised to see Japanese automaker Honda on the list – not just once, but THREE TIMES in the top seven. That’s more than Ford, Chevy or Jeep.

Traditionally, people think of Honda as a foreign car and while the automaker certainly has operations overseas, there are some models that are assembled here in America that support our own economy.

The Full List

Without further ado, here is the list of the top seven vehicles that use the most American-made parts and support American factory workers.
1. Jeep Cherokee (assembled in Belvidere, Ill.)
2. Honda Odyssey (assembled in Lincoln, Ala.)
3. Honda Ridgeline (assembled in Lincoln, Ala.)
4. Ford Taurus (assembled in Chicago, Ill.)
5. Chevrolet Volt (assembled in Detroit, Mich.)
6. Honda Pilot (assembled in Lincoln, Ala.)
7. Acura MDX (assembled in East Libery, Ohio)
So there you have it. Buying American-made cars no longer means just picking a brand like Ford and Chevy and buying whatever they’re selling. The automotive industry is massive and complex, with parts and pieces travelling across the globe.

This list can help you guide your decision on how to truly support American-made parts and American factory jobs.
November 29, 2018
Seized Facebook Documents Likely to be Made Public Within a Week

Facebook’s having yet another crisis related to Russian interference on the site. This time, however, it isn’t a new wave of hackers influencing elections, it’s documents relating to what they knew and when. Seized Facebook documents in the hands of the UK Parliament allegedly show the company knew about Russian interference as early as 2014. These documents may be made public in the next week.

Seized Facebook Documents Could be Made Public Soon

Getty Images

How Were the Documents Acquired?

Originally, these documents were sealed by a California court. The court has asked Facebook to remind the UK why the sensitive documents should not be released. However, the UK acquired the documents by legal means from the founder of Six4Three, a defunct app company.

While the founder was visiting London, he was compelled to appear before parliament and produce the documents in question. The seized Facebook documents allegedly shed light on how much Facebook knew about Russian interference and when they knew it.

International Hearing, Zuckerberg Absent

During the international hearing in the UK today, Damian Collins explained the nature of the documents. Collins is the head of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee in Parliament. According to Collins, the documents include an email from a senior Facebook engineer that alerted the company to the presence of Russian interference on the site.

The most damning aspect of this email is the timing. It was sent in 2014, meaning Facebook new about the interference 2 years before the election. Some believe that the documents even include communications among top Facebook execs, including Zuckerberg himself.

Speaking of Zuckerberg, he was conspicuously absent from the hearing in the UK today. A symbolic chair was left empty for him.

Parliament’s Stance

The unsealing and publication of the documents could be of great importance to the public. “There is a clearly growing interest in what the documents contain,” said Collins. The committee is currently scouring the documents for anything of public interest.

Collins has stated that he can’t currently give an exact date for when the documents will be published. There is a large number of documents present that were seized, and they may require redaction before being released publicly. “Our duty of care is to go through them properly,” said Collins.

At time of writing, Facebook has made no statement regarding the release of the documents.

November 27, 2018
Sega Dreamcast Classic: Could it be Coming Soon?

The Sega Dreamcast Classic has just turned 20. The short-lived but influential console has a small yet iconic lineup of games. We’d love to see the system revived in the form of a Classic Mini system like the NES Classic. Could the Sega Dreamcast Classic be around the corner?

Sega Dreamcast Classic

Polygon

Coming Soon?

As of this writing, Sega doesn’t seem to have any immediate plans for a Sega Dreamcast Classic. That doesn’t stop us from speculating what could make one a huge success, though. Released in 1998 originally, the ill-fated Dreamcast is a symbol of a different era of gaming. What could make a Classic Dreamcast an awesome time-capsule from the late 90’s?

Must-Have Games

The Dreamcast was home to some of the coolest games of the 90’s. Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, Shenmue, Soul Calibur, and Skies of Arcadia are the obvious inclusions. There are also deep cuts from the library like Canon Spike and Project Justice that would be awesome inclusions.

Crazy Taxi, Power Stone and Jet Set Radio are also major fan-favorites of the system that are surefire inclusions in any Classic console. One game in particular strikes us as an interesting opportunity for Sega: Phantasy Star Online.

Bring Back Online

The Dreamcast was the first home console with built-in internet functionality. Precious few games used this functionality, chief among them being Phantasy Star Online. If Sega opts to make a Dreamcast Classic, we urge them to make the internet functionality work and include Phantasy Star with the system.

It only makes sense for Sega to be the first to make a classic system with online capabilities. After all, they were originally the first to market with it in the late 90’s!

How Likely is it?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Sega has any immediate plans for reviving the ill-fated and much-beloved Dreamcast. The company has made a point of porting many of the classic Dreamcast library to other systems, including Steam.

That doesn’t mean we can’t dream, though. Thinking back to the Dreamcast, it signaled the end of an era. Sega’s constant ambition and drive to innovate ended up spelling its doom. But man, were those some awesome games.

November 27, 2018
Google Pixel Slate: A Worthy iPad Competitor?

Apple is a hard act to follow. Their electronics have been the benchmark for smart devices for more than a decade now. Google now attempts to compete with the iPad with their new Google Pixel Slate. How does the hybrid 2-in-1 stack up, and is it worth the high price tag?

Google Pixel Slate Review

PC Mag

Strengths

Firstly, this device has great battery life and is reasonably powerful. It should have enough energy from a full charge to get you through a busy day with lots of tabs open and a lot of work on the device.

The Google Pixel Slate is a great device for productivity. If you often use your laptop for typing and browsing the web, you can use a Pixel Slate for largely the same tasks. When it comes to completing tasks and staying on the ball, the Pixel Slate functions a lot like a laptop. Of course, you need one of those pricey keyboards for this to be true.

Speaking of price, let’s get into that. This device costs about the same amount as an iPad, coming in at $600 for the base model. The more powerful versions are even more expensive. That’s before shelling out for a $200 Google Pixel Keyboard. Oh, and did we mention that the Pixelbook Pen is $100?

Weaknesses

Aside from the price, there are some major weaknesses in this tablet. For one, you have to use Chrome OS and the Google Play Store. When compared to the Microsoft Surface Pro, that makes this an inferior 2-in-1. Meanwhile, the device has inferior Pen tracking to the iPad, and works much less quickly and smoothly than Apple’s device.

In all, it’s hard to say what this Pixel Slate is trying to be. If it was trying to be a more PC-like device, it falls short compared to the Surface Pro. If it was trying to beat Apple at the tablet game, it certainly doesn’t pull that off.

Bottom Line

It’s unclear who the Google Pixel Slate is for. Between its astronomical price and choppy performance, it’s very difficult to recommend this device over its competitors. You’re better off going with a Surface Pro or an iPad, depending on your needs.

November 27, 2018
PlayStation Classic Review: How Does it Stack Up?

Sony, following in Nintendo’s footsteps, has released their PlayStation Classic system. Does it live up to the hype surrounding it, or are these old games better off left forgotten? We’ll tell you in today’s PlayStation Classic review. Let’s travel back to the 90’s!

PlayStation Classic Review

Sony

The Emulation

Firstly, the emulation on display here is excellent. The games on the system are all emulated perfectly as they existed back in the mid-to-late-90’s. That’s certainly an achievement in and of itself, but it does raise a few questions. If this is exactly the ways these games should look, aren’t they all a bit ugly?

The transition to 3D was rough for a lot of games. Ugly polygonal models and blurry backgrounds were the rule of the day. Many of these games have aged like milk, both graphically and in terms of gameplay. After twenty years or more, many of these are almost unplayable by modern standards.

The Games

The game selection is incredibly hit-and-miss. There are some notable (and amazing) inclusions, like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII and Resident Evil. There are also glaring omissions, like Castelvania: Symphony of the Night and Twisted Metal II.

Unusual inclusions like Jumping Flash, Wild Arms and Intelligent Qube make the lack of Tomb Raider and Crash Bandicoot downright puzzling. The PlayStation had an incredible roster of exclusive games, so not having them available on this love letter to the 90’s is nearly criminal.

For every Oddworld and Tekken on the system there is another frustrating exclusion. No Silent Hill or Tony Hawk on a PlayStation throwback system? It’s hard to justify the $100 price tag with this selection of games.

The Console

The console itself is a perfect mini replica of the PlayStation. Likewise, the controller is exactly as you remember it. Sadly, it’s not a DualShock controller, which makes 3D games like Metal Gear Solid a pain to navigate. There are thankfully two controllers for local multiplayer, what little is available in this game selection.

Bottom Line

Overall, this is really a system only for diehard collectors. If you really want to play Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid again (without analog sticks) then knock yourself out. However, there are plenty of ways to do that without spending $100.

November 27, 2018
Confidential Facebook Documents Seized by UK Parliament

In an odd turn, the UK Parliament had confidential Facebook documents seized. Parliament has been gearing up for an international hearing regarding alleged misconduct by Facebook. The documents include correspondences among top Facebooks executives, apparently including CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself.

Facebook Documents Seized by UK Parliament

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

How Were the Documents Seized?

During a business trip in London, the founder of Six4Three was compelled by Parliament to give up the documents in question. Six4Three is no longer operating, but their founder still possessed documents relating to Facebook after working with them.

Next week, there will be an international hearing in London relating to Facebook’s numerous scandals. The Cambridge Analytica leak, potential election meddling and constant misinformation are stated topics the hearing will focus on.

Facebook’s Pushback

The social media company responded to the events in England with shock. “We consider these to be entirely without merit and that the repeated filings demonstrate that this is more about attacking our company than it is about a credible legal claim,” said Richard Allan in a letter to Parliament. Allan is the head of Facebook’s public police.

Parliament’s Stance

Damian Collins, the head of Parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, had a retort for Allan in the form of a letter. On Twitter Collins posted the letter, which reminds Allan that it is within Parliamentary privilege to seize and publish the documents. Since Facebook operates in the UK, they are subject to Parliament’s laws and mechanisms.

Collins warns that if Zuckerberg visits England he will likely be compelled to appear before Parliament. Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Zuckerberg has avoided visiting the UK.

The International Hearing

The hearing in London could lead to serious issues for Facebook. If the hearing finds that Facebook is to blame for the multiple security breaches and the spread of disinformation, they could find themselves fined severely.

Such findings could lead to similar committees in the EU and even the US slapping huge fines on Facebook. Scrutiny on the company is at an all-time high following the multiple incidents under investigation.

November 26, 2018