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  • SmartPhone Spotlight: OnePlus 6T

    SmartPhone Spotlight: OnePlus 6T

    OnePlus’s deal has always been offering flagship-level internals coupled with minimalist software, all for significantly less than similarly-specced devices. The OnePlus 6T has all the right stuff you’d expect for late 2017: a Qualcom Snapdragon 845 processor, SoC, a 6.4-inch, 18:9 screen, and a dual-camera. Is the the smartphone you deserve?

    The Great

    • Beautiful Screen
    • Blistering performance
    • Great battery life
    • Flagship-caliber cameras
    • Very fast charging:
    • Amazing value

    The Not

    • Still not there

    The Conclusion

    If you’re willing to put up with a few small compromises then you could argue the OnePlus 6T could be even further up this list. One thing is for sure though: in terms of value for money it won’t disappoint.

     

    If it’s an affordable flagship you’re after, well, see what the OnePlus 6T has to offer. It’s bringing facial recognition, a 6.4-inch 18:9 display, dual rear cameras, a premium metal body and the latest power under the hood, all for a price that comfortably undercuts Apple, Samsung and friends.

     

    Screen:

    The 6.4-inch AMOLED display on the OnePlus 6T is fantastic, especially given the low price tag.  The OnePlus 6T features a 6.41″ (16.28 cm) display with a screen resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and runs on Android v9.0 (Pie) operating system. The device is powered by Octa core, 2.8 GHz, Kryo 385 processor paired with 6 GB of RAM. It’s the best screen ever seen in a OnePlus handset and features the same 18:9 aspect ratio seen on the other Android flagship phones.

     

    Battery life:

    Solid all-day battery life is what you’ll get out of this phone. So it fits nicely in with the competition then – not as good as the LG V30 but comfortably as good as the Galaxy S9 and the rest.

     

    Camera:

    The camera, again, is decent without being standout. You won’t have any problems with it and you’ll be able to take some amazing photos with it. It’s not as good as the Pixel 2 but the far cheaper price tag will explain why.

     

    Quick Spec Look

    • Release date: October 2018
    •  OS: Android v9.0 (Pie)
    • Screen size: 6.4-inch
    • Resolution: 1080 x 2160
    •  CPU: Snapdragon 845
    •  RAM: 6/8GB
    • Storage: 64GB/128GB
    • Battery: 3,300mAh
    •  Rear camera: 20MP + 16MP
    • Front camera: 16MP

     

    The Final Thought

    If you are seriously looking at this phone, you shouldn’t be. This is the phone you get when your parents got a buy one get one free deal at their local cell phone shop. IF you are looking for a quality android, this has the specks but there are better options, go grab the LG V40.

     

  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    There has been months of speculation and hype about new iPhone X models rumored to be coming. “Today, we’re going to take iPhone X to the next level,” CEO Tim Cook said during the presentation and unveiling of new iPhone models.

    The iPhone X released last year was a total rethinking of the iPhone with features like Face ID and a edge to edge screen. Anticipation was high among iPhone fans and the day is finally here, and we have all the recaps.  Apple finally took the wraps off its new iPhones, including the iPhone Xs Max, its largest iPhone ever. With 3 new phone announcements, let’s take a look at what makes them different and sort through all the new details and features.

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

    First off Apple  introduced the 5.8-inch iPhone Xs, which also has an OLED screen. The iPhone Xs is made of surgical-grade steel, is covered in new glass and comes in gold, silver and space gray. With the new A12 chip, more on this later, it allows the storage to be increased to 512 gb. The Xs will have 3 size options, 64gb, 256, or 512gb. The smaller 64gb is cutting a little close these days but 256gb should still be more than enough for 99% of the users out there.

    The iPhone XS will also incorporate more real-world machine learning for features such as augmented reality and FaceTime. The iOS upgrade will also open the door for Siri shortcuts, which users can customize.  For all the Instagram photographers out there the back camera has a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera and 12-megapixel telephoto camera, along with improvements to flash. For the selfie lovers the front camera will feature 7 megapixels.

    Both devices are identical with only one difference, the iPhone Xs is 5.8 inches, the iPhone Xs max is 6.5 inches. There also have been improvements to the overall strength of the glass screen, which is a great improvement for those of us with butter fingers.

    The iPhone XR

    Alongside with the Xs models Apple also revealed it’s midrange iPhone model, the XR.  The XR is the  bargain model that will be more affordable with most of the same features as the Xs. The iPhone XR has an LCD display called liquid retina and it features a 6.1-inch screen. It’s the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, but with a larger screen because of it’s edge to edge screen.  The iPhone XR will also feature Face ID, and include the A12 Bionic chip like the XS. The big difference among these phones is the back camera: a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera for the XR. The front camera will feature the same true depth features as the XS.

    On battery life, XR will offer an hour and a half more on one charge than the iPhone 8 Plus. Specs-wise, the XR is notable for matching many of the specs of the new XS, but one notable omission is 3D Touch, which  isn’t available with XR model. 

    While the 6.1-inch display seems large, the reduced bezels above and below the display  will make the XR slightly smaller than a traditional “Plus” iPhone and only slightly larger than the 5.8-inch iPhone XS. The iPhone XR will be available in a variety of colors including black, white, blue, coral, yellow and red.

    Pricing

    The iPhone XR will come in three sizes: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, and start at $749. Pre-orders arrive October 19, and ships October 26. XS available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB starting at $999. The XS Max will start at $1,099. Both Xs models are available for pre-order immediately with shipping to begin on September 21st.


  • Best Car Warranty

    Best Car Warranty

    When it comes to buying a car, there are a lot of reasons to buy used. However, there is a pretty big reason to buy new: car warranties offered by the manufacturer. As it turns out, most big automakers offer at least some type of car warranty with the purchase of a new car. These warranties can save you a ton of money, so we’re looking at which is the best car warranty!

    Best Car Warranty

    bmw

    Jaguar

    Jaguar offers five years or 60,000 miles of free maintenance on their vehicles. That’s appropriate, at least, because this British automaker is a little pricey. However, they offer a shorter-than-average powertrain warranty, lasting for that same five years. The same goes for their roadside assistance and comprehensive coverage.

    BMW

    BMW offers a fantastic car warranty for cars purchased from their dealerships. If your car is younger than three years and under 36,000 miles, BMW pays for all maintenance. If you get a hybrid or EV, their batteries are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles.  They offer roadside assistance that lasts for four years and has no mileage restrictions. Similarly, corrosion coverage runs for twelve years with no mileage limit.

    Kia

    Kia’s warranty is also quite good, although they don’t offer to cover any maintenance. However, their comprehensive coverage lasts for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Additionally, they offer power train coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Given how expensive powertrain repairs are, that’s a pretty notable warranty coverage. Additionally, Kia offers roadside assistance up until 60,000 miles.

    Mitsubishi

    While Mitsubishi doesn’t make as many cars as it used to, they still offer one of the best car warranties in the business. They cover the powertrain for ten years or 100,000 miles, and they offer comprehensive coverage for half of that. They also offer roadside assistance for five years with no mileage restrictions. That’s a hard deal to beat, if you can find a Mitsubishi dealership!

  • Best Discount Deals for Seniors

    Best Discount Deals for Seniors

    If you’re an older American on a fixed income, you’re likely looking for a good way to save money. Well, there’s some good news for you: tons of places offer great discount deals for seniors! If you’re looking for good places to save money and still have some left over, check out today’s round-up!

    Best Discount Deals for Seniors

    seniordeals

    Amtrack

    Is there a more fun or stylish way to travel than by train? If there is, we’re not familiar with it! The only thing better than enjoying a fun train ride to your destination is saving a ton of money while you do it! Passengers over 65 save ten percent off of their ticket prices when they travel Amtrack.

    Walgreens

    If you’re over 55, make sure you shop at Walgreens the first Tuesday of every month! That’s because they offer one of the best retail discounts in the business for seniors. The first Tuesday of every month, shoppers over 55 get twenty percent off eligible items! That’s a huge discount, and well-worth planning around every month for shopping.

    Marriott Hotels

    If you’re over 62 and traveling, look into booking with Marriott. The hotel chain offers fifteen percent off nightly room rates for people over 62! This is subject to availability, of course, so make sure the hotel you’re booking with offers this deal. That said, there’s no limit on the number of nights you can book and still get the discount! Next time you’re traveling, remember Marriott!

    British Airways

    Currently, AARP members can take advantage of a great deal with British Airways. AARP members can get $65 off of economy flights, or $200 off of business club flights. There’s a catch, though: you have to book your flight before January 31st, 2019. If you’re traveling soon and an AARP member, don’t forget about this deal!

    Kohl’s

    The next time you need to buy new clothes, shoes or bed dressings, don’t forget about this deal from Kohl’s. Every Wednesday, shoppers over sixty get fifteen percent off of all purchases! This is a great way to save some serious money on your shopping. With Christmas coming up, this is a great way to make your money go farther for the holiday season.

  • Alienware M15, The Lightest and Thinnest Yet

    Alienware M15, The Lightest and Thinnest Yet

    Big,big news out of Dell today. Or should I say small, thin news? Alienware has announced its new m15 gaming laptop. Dell’s gaming computer division is blowing away the bigger competition by building its thinnest and lightest 15-inch laptop yet.Alienware M15, lets see what we got.

    The Design Changes

    The Design, let’s talk about it. The Alienware M15 is Different from what Alienware has been doing. It is completely visible when you compare them side by side. The new m15 offers slimmer bezels, a reduced footprint, and it looks so sleek, and so choice. The new m15 measures in at 4.76 pounds and 0.83 inches thick. If you are keeping eyes out on the competition that’s smaller than the Razr. Alienware has gone on record saying the m15 is the thinnest laptop it’s ever made. They are comparing it against the old 13-inch model, which weighs 5.8 pounds and is 14 percent thicker than the m15.

    WE also have a new keyboard remodel to a chiclet design. If you are concerned, yes it is still backlit. It host in a full number pad and trackpad into a more modern combined pad. All the plug and ports are here. The M15 is rocking three USB ports, one USB-C Thunderbolt 3 port, HDMI and Mini DisplayPorts, Ethernet, and Alienware’s proprietary Graphics Amplifier plug.

    Specs

    The Specs are just what you need, want and would expect. Not overloaded but just right. With a thinner, Nvidia Max-Q design that trades some performance for portability, 8th Gen Intel processors, up to 32GB of RAM, and plenty of different storage options. You get the options between a 60Hz FHD display, a 144Hz FHD panel designed for gaming, and a 60Hz UHD display that offers better resolution.

    The Final Alienware M15 Thought

    If a $3000, 15 inch gaming laptop is your market… Look no further than the Alienware M15. It seems like an oddly specific, small niche market. This isnt a ground breaking release or discovery. Just another update to a long line of great, reliable and powerful gaming laptops.

     

  • Oh The Iphone XS Max Battery Life!

    Oh The Iphone XS Max Battery Life!

    The iPhone XS Max has a super-sized 6.5-inch screen, the largest display of any iPhone to date. We have heard about how great the Iphone Xs camerica has scored. 82 out of 100, 2nd only to the Galaxy Note 9 at 83. However no one is talking about the iphone xs max battery life. Consumer Reports focused on the “noticeable improvement” in battery life, putting the XS and XS Max among the industry leaders. Despite the numerous claims about charging issues, dubbed “chargegate”. The iPhone Xs has beena  magnificent accomplishment from apple. To say the least the iPhone Xs Max battery life is nothing short of astounding

    The Test and Results of the iPhone Xs Max Battery Life

    I have been using the iPhone XS for a little less than two weeks now. It is unsurprisingly a great phone—the best iPhone that’s ever been made, despite a smattering of complaints and issues that have cropped up. Now, after two weeks of testing, I want to rave about this phone and its battery life.

    For those with short attentions spans ill break down a quick results show so you can move on to the next article. Over the 2 weeks one would expect, 14 charges. Negative. I have had 6 full charges, that is all I have needed.  an average 16 hours day of moderate to heavy use is running about %44 a day. The nice and easy thing about these statements is they are easily tracked through the batter option in the iPhone xs settings.

    It’s said to be 3,174mAh, which is larger than the 2,691mAh one found inside the iPhone 8 Plus, and it makes it the biggest battery Apple has ever put inside a phone. Apple says the iPhone XS Max battery offers an additional 90 minutes of power over the iPhone X. While it’s unclear how Apple arrived at that particular figure, we can be sure about one thing: the iPhone XS Max can last almost 2 days on a single charge with moderate to high usage.

    Just simply fantastic.

  • Hurricane Impact Windows

    Hurricane Impact Windows

    Every time a huge hurricane starts moving towards coastal regions, you’ll see footage and photos of plywood over windows. This is a sensible strategy to keep debris and wind from destroying your windows. However, hurricane impact windows are the best way to keep the wind and debris from destroying the windows.

    Hurricane Impact Windows

    What They Are

    “Hurricane windows” is somewhat misleading, and a better term is impact windows. If you’ve never looked into impact windows, you might be wondering what we’re talking about. They come in two main designs. The first is designed for small projectile impact and is made of several layers of polyvinyl butyral between glass panes. The glass panes are further tempered to increase their durability.

    The second type of impact windows are those made for large projectiles. These are PET laminated glass, usually attached directly to the building’s frame. Such windows are actually polycarbonate with a glass casing. Typically, they are bonded to the building’s frame by a silicone adhesive.

    Installation

    It’s not as simple as slapping hurricane impact windows into your window frame and calling it a day, though. Installation must take the functional aspects of the windows into account. For instance, you need to make sure you use reinforced window frames to match the impact windows. After all, what good is a shatter-resistant window if the frame around it breaks when impacted by debris?

    Another tip for installation is to replace all windows in your house, and all frames. If you have a few impact-resistant windows but don’t replace them all, you’re just asking for disaster. If one of your other windows gives out, the resulting change in pressure could cause serious damage to the rest of the house. Similarly, make sure you replace every frame: a window is only as strong as the frame that holds it.

    Why to Upgrade

    Modern impact windows have been tested to withstand even the most devastating weather conditions. If properly installed, these windows can turn your home’s weak point into a strong, storm-resistant window. These offer you the best chance of your home surviving extreme storm conditions, giving you peace of mind.

  • How to Straighten Teeth Without Braces

    How to Straighten Teeth Without Braces

    First things first: no one wants a bad-looking smile. Everyone wants their teeth to look straight and healthy! However, not everyone needs braces. If you have an underdeveloped palate, limited overcrowding or malocclusion, you might be able to fix your smile without braces.

    How to Straighten Teeth Without Braces

    Brands like Smile Direct and Invisalign have totally shaken up the orthodontics industry for the better. You used to have to go to your orthodontist for your first fitting and installation of regular braces. Depending on the severity of your particular case, you could have to visit the orthodontist as much as once a week to get your traditional braces adjusted.

    With the new technology that these other brands have, all of that effort is a thing of the past. Either book a 3D scan in our SmileShop or get an at-home kit sent to you. A licensed dentist or orthodontist will review your smile plan and guide your new smile remotely from beginning to end. You have the option to either book a 3D scan from your doctor or get an at-home kit sent to you. A licensed dentist or orthodontist will review your smile plan and guide your new smile remotely from beginning to end. Everyone’s gum-line is different, so each aligner is individually trimmed for your teeth and gums. In stead of having to go to get adjusted, these companies send you new molds to track your improvement and ship new aligners right to your front door.

    Palatal Expanders

    Orthodontists often suggest palatal expanders for children with mouths too narrow for their adult teeth. The expander is typically held in place by dental cement and is placed so that it applies pressure on both sides of the mouth. The expander has a mechanism that can be turned by the orthodontist to apply more pressure. Over visits with the orthodontist, the expander is gradually widened, causing the mouth to become wide enough to accommodate eventual adult teeth.

    If your child is suffering from a narrow palate, consider speaking with their orthodontist about expanders. It’s possible to avoid braces altogether with the aid of an expander!

    Retainers

    In the event of limited overcrowding of the mouth, retainers can be used to correct the issue. Orthodontists will often suggest retainers for less extreme conditions, as they have a number of benefits for certain patients. While fixed retainers are similar to braces, Hawley retainers are removable. Removable retainers are great for special occasions or temporary relief while still correcting crooked teeth or misaligned bite.

    If you opt for a removable retainer, the main risk is losing it. Retainers are made from a dental impression and specifically made for one patient. As such, they are expensive to replace. Make sure any children with retainers are aware of how expensive they are and to not misplace them.

    Appliances for Malocclusion

    Malocclusion, or an out-of-alignment bite, can be very discomforting. Those with malocclusion can often be helped by an orthodontist’s appliance, however. Appliances that orthodontists use to correct bite often look a bit extreme but are noted for how successful they are. Headgear used to correct malocclusion can look a bit goofy, but it’s well-worth the benefits of correcting a child’s bite!

    Children with headgear are often mocked by classmates, however, so orthodontists may have other treatments in mind that are more discreet. In such cases, an orthodontist can consult with parents over how best to proceed.


  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    There has been months of speculation and hype about new iPhone X models rumored to be coming. “Today, we’re going to take iPhone X to the next level,” CEO Tim Cook said during the presentation and unveiling of new iPhone models.

    The iPhone X released last year was a total rethinking of the iPhone with features like Face ID and a edge to edge screen. Anticipation was high among iPhone fans and the day is finally here, and we have all the recaps.  Apple finally took the wraps off its new iPhones, including the iPhone Xs Max, its largest iPhone ever. With 3 new phone announcements, let’s take a look at what makes them different and sort through all the new details and features.

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

    First off Apple  introduced the 5.8-inch iPhone Xs, which also has an OLED screen. The iPhone Xs is made of surgical-grade steel, is covered in new glass and comes in gold, silver and space gray. With the new A12 chip, more on this later, it allows the storage to be increased to 512 gb. The Xs will have 3 size options, 64gb, 256, or 512gb. The smaller 64gb is cutting a little close these days but 256gb should still be more than enough for 99% of the users out there.

    The iPhone XS will also incorporate more real-world machine learning for features such as augmented reality and FaceTime. The iOS upgrade will also open the door for Siri shortcuts, which users can customize.  For all the Instagram photographers out there the back camera has a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera and 12-megapixel telephoto camera, along with improvements to flash. For the selfie lovers the front camera will feature 7 megapixels.

    Both devices are identical with only one difference, the iPhone Xs is 5.8 inches, the iPhone Xs max is 6.5 inches. There also have been improvements to the overall strength of the glass screen, which is a great improvement for those of us with butter fingers.

    The iPhone XR

    Alongside with the Xs models Apple also revealed it’s midrange iPhone model, the XR.  The XR is the  bargain model that will be more affordable with most of the same features as the Xs. The iPhone XR has an LCD display called liquid retina and it features a 6.1-inch screen. It’s the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, but with a larger screen because of it’s edge to edge screen.  The iPhone XR will also feature Face ID, and include the A12 Bionic chip like the XS. The big difference among these phones is the back camera: a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera for the XR. The front camera will feature the same true depth features as the XS.

    On battery life, XR will offer an hour and a half more on one charge than the iPhone 8 Plus. Specs-wise, the XR is notable for matching many of the specs of the new XS, but one notable omission is 3D Touch, which  isn’t available with XR model. 

    While the 6.1-inch display seems large, the reduced bezels above and below the display  will make the XR slightly smaller than a traditional “Plus” iPhone and only slightly larger than the 5.8-inch iPhone XS. The iPhone XR will be available in a variety of colors including black, white, blue, coral, yellow and red.

    Pricing

    The iPhone XR will come in three sizes: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, and start at $749. Pre-orders arrive October 19, and ships October 26. XS available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB starting at $999. The XS Max will start at $1,099. Both Xs models are available for pre-order immediately with shipping to begin on September 21st.


  • 7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    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.