Blog

The Best Sci-Fi TV Shows of All Time

Sci-Fi’s influence on film has been felt for nearly a century, starting with the release of Metropolis in 1927. However, the genre’s influence on TV has been a bit more start-and-stop. There have been pockets of popular interest in some decades that has waned in others. That said, today we’re looking at the ten best sci-fi TV shows of all time. Some are very recent, while others got their start in the 50’s. In any event, they’re all stellar sci-fi shows, pun intended.

The Best Sci-Fi TV Shows of All Time

10. Altered Carbon

Photo Credit: Netflix

A gritty, dirty and mean noir show on Netflix, Altered Carbon is based on the novel of the same name. This cyberpunk thriller follows Takeshi Kovacs, an assassin in a future where human consciousness has been digitized. As a result, people’s bodies are no longer their life or death: when your body dies, your “stack,” or mind, can be “re-sleeved,” or placed in a new body. This allows the series to have multiple actors portray Kovacs as he tries to solve a high-profile murder of a wealthy megacorp owner. Of course, the murdered man, Bancroft, commissions Kovacs himself, as he has simply been re-sleeved following his murder. What follows is an intense, gripping and overall sexy cyberpunk detective story.

9. Stranger Things

Photo Credit: Fox News

Equal parts Steven King and H.P. Lovecraft, Stranger Things is a love letter to the 80’s. Following a group of kids in the city of Hawkins, Indiana, the show wears its influences on its sleeve. Channeling the Goonies, It and other films of their ilk, the show is as charming as it is scary. When the gang, led by plucky Dungeons and Dragons player Mike Wheeler, meet a psychic girl named Eleven, their lives become an adventure. The show is sweet-hearted but remains creepy and atmospheric in its depiction of its monsters.

8. Quantum Leap

Photo Credit: Den of Geek

Starring Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett, a theoretical physicist, Quantum Leap follows Beckett as he travels through time. Beckett’s time travel brings him into the bodies of people who were alive during Beckett’s own life, seemingly at random. Upon landing in their lives, Sam must help them overcome some great challenge or adversary before “leaping” to the next life. As the show’s intro reminds: he always hopes his next jump is the jump home. This series has a genuinely warm heart and ran for a solid five seasons in the late 80’s to early 90’s.

7. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Photo Credit: Star Wars

The Clone Wars started as a continuation of the animated film that took place in between Star Wars Episodes II and III. The computer-animated film had negative reviews, and the show had middling reviews at best in its first season. However, as the series went on it got better and better, and eventually became one of the best ongoing parts of the Star Wars universe. The recent announcement of a revival has many fans excited for what the future holds!

6. Twilight Zone

Photo Credit: Polygon

Endlessly influential, the Twilight Zone was something of an anthology show in the vein of pulp magazines of the 40’s and 50’s. Each new episode followed a different sci-fi premise, often weird or unsettling. The show introduced a generation of Americans in the 50’s to sci-fi and proved quite popular in its initial run. It still sees re-runs in syndication to this day, and its influence can be felt in sci-fi the world over.

5. Doctor Who

Photo Credit: BBC
Nearly as influential as Twilight Zone, if not more so, this British show began airing in the 50’s. The unique premise holds that the protagonist, the titular Doctor, can regenerate when mortally wounded. This regeneration, however, greatly changes the Doctor’s physical appearance and even changes parts of his personality. This has allowed the show an unprecedented longevity, and new seasons are still airing to this very day. In the upcoming season, the Doctor will be portrayed by a woman for the first time. Actor Jodie Whittaker will play the Doctor in the upcoming season, and fans are ecstatic.

4. Futurama

Photo Credit: Metro

The long-running animated sci-fi show Futurama was created by Simpsons mastermind Matt Groening. The show follows Fry, a slacker and pizza delivery boy from the 20^th Century. An accident on New Year’s Eve 1999 sees Fry cryogenically frozen until the year 2999. When he awakens, the world is unlike his in every way. The series deftly uses its smarts to comedic effect but knows when to tug the heartstrings and use Fry’s plight to make us feel something. This show had a notoriously tough time staying on the air and jumped stations for years before finally being laid to rest.

3. Rick and Morty

Photo Credit: Adult Swim

An excellent show with a notoriously awful fandom, Rick and Morty’s reputation precedes it. While the toxicity of its fanbase may give the show a bad reputation, the show is undeniably excellent. While occasionally oppressively dark and often grotesque, the show is still witty and hilarious in its best moments. Truly emotionally affecting when the mood strikes it, this isn’t a show to miss due to negative reactions from overly-toxic fans. Give it a shot on its own merits and ignore the conversation about its fans. You’ll be glad you did!

2. Firefly

Photo Credit: The Verge

The tragically short-lived Firefly has been talked to death, but we’ll talk about it again today. Created by Joss Whedon, famous for his show Buffy and directing the Avengers, Firefly is the definition of a cult show. The show only lasted for one season but was so full of character and originality that its fans were outraged when it was canceled. While the show got a feature film, many still feel as though the show never got its due in its own time. The stars, namely Nathan Fillion, did go on to great things afterwards, but fans still carry that torch to this day.

The Best Sci-Fi Show Ever: Star Trek: TNG

Photo Credit: Nerd Infinite

While the original Star Trek is iconic, the sequel series, The Next Generation, is truly something special. Running from the late 80’s to the early 90’s, TNG revitalized interest in the Star Trek brand and kicked off a generation of new Trek fans. The cast of unforgettable characters were all portrayed with humanity and believability that brought the show to new heights of storytelling. The excellent scripts and genuinely complex moral quandaries the show explored were mature without being edgy. A perfect example of sci-fi TV done right, this is what all other sci-fi shows should aspire to be.

August 2, 2018
Tech Throwback: Treo 600

like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. Im going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today I’m powering up the Treo 600, the first commercial pocket Palm pilot and phone.

The year was 2003 and Linkedin was setting up a place for guys with sideways cellphone belt pouches. We just need the right phone to put in it.. Boom, behold the Treo 600. Palm’s first Palm Pilot and phone in one.

The Treo 600 is an Internet-enabled Palm Pilot PDA designed and marketed by Handspring then later by Palm. It has a touchscreen with a full QWERTY keyboard. The Treo 600 functions include those of a camera phone and a portable media player in addition to text messaging and multimedia messaging. It also offers Internet services including e-mail , instant messaging, web browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity.

My Hands on with the Treo 600

The Treo 600 is a rather large device by cell phone standards but compact for a PDA. The 600 is slightly wider and deeper than its predecessor and is nearly half an inch slimmer, giving it a more cell-phone like feel. The new form factor has been compared to a bar of soap. The design is definitely an example of form-follows-function, the front of the phone consists of a full QWERTY keyboard at the bottom with menu and home buttons at the bottom right. Above the keyboard are the 4 application buttons with a “five-way” navigator in-between. Each application button can be mapped to two applications, with the exception of the last button which has one of its functions permanently mapped to the on/off.

It functions slow and cumbersome by today’s standards but at the time it had the contacts game on lock down. This was the first phone to incorporate the multiple number and emails to one contact. Previous to this you had to list Todd, Todd Home, Todd Cell, Todd work all as an individual contact with one number associated to it… Not any more. Wow we were easy to please back then. The old Gprs network this phone functioned on is long gone and there doesn’t seem to be a Wifi option and I cant remember if that is correct. Never the less I cant test a website, and note that the websites where not mobile friendly in those days, you pulled up the full page and had to whip out this little stylus and navigate on a 2 inch screen. Impossible you say? Yes it quite was.

Quick Speck Look

Specifications
Mobile phone, GSM/GPRS model with 850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands, CDMA model with 800/1900 MHz bands.
144-MHz ARM processor.
32 MB RAM (24 MB available storage).
Built-in rechargeable lithium ion batteries, lasting more than 24 hours in normal usage.
Palm OS ver 5.2.1H complete with standard applications including web browsing, email, calendar, and contacts.
Size 4.4 × 2.4 × 0.9 inches (11.2 × 6.0 × 2.2 cm)
Weight 5.9 oz. (168 grams)
Display 160×160 pixels CSTN backlit display
SDIO / SD / MMC memory slot.
MP3 and stereo audio headset compatible (requires a converter to accept standard headset).
Digital camera VGA (640×480) resolution (Most models)
Infrared com port and touch-screen with stylus.
Backlit keyboard with phone dial layout.
Speakerphone and vibrate mode.

The Final Thought

This phone failed commercially but set up the Treo 650 which with some minor improvements kept the new Linkedin crowd happy for a nice and health 5 year run. But the 600 in its color less glory was a sight to casually remember…

August 1, 2018
Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

So your mobility isn’t what it used to be… no problem! Today, some insurance companies will actually help with coverage on a mobility scooter, or even pay for the whole thing. Check it out for yourself! Either way, it may be worth checking them out and seeing if it fits your lifestyle. With that in mind, let’s look at the top ten mobility scooters.

Drive Medical Phoenix Heavy Duty

A heavy, sturdy scooter for a great price, this one is a good pick. This one has a headlight, which is good for darker areas. It also has a basket in the front for carrying things, making it great for grocery store trips! The seat is customizable, broad and comfortable. For $1,200, this is a great heavy-duty pick.

Pride Mobility Go-Go Sport

This scooter is notable for its four-wheel drive and durability. It’s not terribly fast, topping at 4 MPH. That said, it’s rugged and durable, and works great when outdoors! If you like being outside and enjoying the sunlight, this is a great pick! For a combination of durability and mobility, check out the Go-Go Sport!

E-Wheels EW-72

A stylish and slick scooter, the E-Wheels EW-72 has a look inspired by classic cars! For those looking to really zoom, this scooter has a top speed of 15 MPH! As a heavy-duty scooter, it works quite well, as it has a top weight rating of 500 pounds! If you’re looking for a great, stylish, heavy-duty scooter, this is a great choice for you!

Transformer Electric Folding Mobility Scooter

Another great choice for carrying in a trunk and carrying around with you, this transforming scooter is pretty neat. It folds up into a nice, compact shape so it can go anywhere with you! The battery is airline compliant, so it can fly with you, which is great for those who fly often. If you’re on the move and need a scooter that can keep up, this is the one for you!

E-Wheels Jellybean Electric Scooter

The second E-Wheels scooter on our list, this one is also quite heavy-duty! This one is three-wheeled, though, so it’s got a bit of a different construction from some others on this list. The best thing about this scooter, though, is the high speed! It tops out at 18 MPH, which makes it a serious scooter! It has a great battery, too, offering up to 45 miles on a single charge. This one also has an anti-theft alarm, which is great! It sports a huge back-mounted basket, perfect for trips to the market.

Spitfire 420 Ex

Another great scooter, this one has interchangeable panels in different colors. The panels come in red, blue and silver, and are easy to change out! It also boasts quick-connect batteries, a comfortable seat and padded armrests. The wheels are anti-tip, which makes this a very safe pick. The front-mounted basket even has an interior lining, which is great for shopping. If you’re looking for a good mobility scooter for medical reasons, such as old age, this is a good pick.

SmartScoot Lithium Foldable Travel Scooter

This folding scooter is great to throw in the trunk or backseat and carry with you to a destination. The best thing about this scooter: the battery! It has great battery life for how portable it is for travel. It lasts for up to 12 miles! It also breaks down into three parts, and only weighs 27 pounds.

Drive Medical Scout 3 Wheel

At the very low price of right around $600, this three-wheeled scooter is a popular choice. A little less expensive than its four-wheeled counterpart, this one is a good value. The drawbacks to this scooter include its three-wheeled construction, slightly low battery life and make. There are more comfortable, high-end scooters, but if you’re looking for a good bargain, this is it. This scooter is the most affordable on our list!

Best Value: Drive Medical Scout Compact 4 Wheel

For those on a budget, the Drive Medical Scout Compact is a very popular choice. At $700, it’s a fantastic value, and it shows in its popularity. It’s a good scooter, with all the trimmings you’d expect from a medical mobility scooter. Older customers on a fixed income love the low price, and the price doesn’t compromise the quality. This one also has interchangeable panels in red and blue, so you can change your style! A great value for the money for those looking to save.

Best Overall Mobility Scooter: Shopride Sunrunner

If you’re looking for an especially comfortable scooter, look no further than the Sunrunner! It has a 300-pound capacity and a huge 25-mile battery. You can opt for a headlight, which is quite useful. It has a front basket, perfect for shopping. The star of the show is the big, comfortable seat, though. You can’t beat the level of comfort on display here! It’s hard to find something this premium and high-quality for this price! It retails for $1,500 but can often be found on sale for less.

August 1, 2018
Infinite Battery? The Matrix Powerwatch X

Wearable technology is at a bit of a crossroads. Most people who are interested in the tech have pretty much seen everything the field has to offer. However, technology is a notoriously ever-moving industry. Tech companies are not content to see customers hanging on to gadgets they bought four, five, even six years ago. As such, wearable tech has seen a ton of crazy innovations recently to catch consumer interest. Notably, the Ticwatch Pro recently incorporated a revolutionary dual-screen display to help cut down on battery usage. Enter the Matrix Powerwatch X.

The Matrix Powerwatch X promises infinite battery life. No, really, as long as you’re wearing it and supplying it with body heat, it’ll last you forever. Well, until the you’re out of body heat, huh? Jokes aside, let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of this interesting new smartwatch.

Matrix Powewatch X Feature Roundup

The Pros

There’s a lot to love about a smartwatch that won’t run out of juice as long as you’re wearing it. The screen is always-on and displays simple information. Steps, time and basic notifications are all visible on the monochromatic display. While the information isn’t very detailed, it’s all easily readable and presented well. The watch is big, bulky and sturdy. In fact, if you don’t like the idea of carrying a huge watch around, don’t even bother with this one. That said, it’s rugged and tough, and will even survive in the pool. It’s waterproof and rated for up to 200 meters of depth. Not too shabby!

The Cons

On the flip side, this watch is pretty basic. Sure, it’ll last you forever and ever on battery life, but you pay for that functionality. Both literally and in terms of features on the watch. The Matrix Powerwatch X costs a whopping $280, which is a lot for a watch with such simple functionality. The fitness tracking is incredibly basic, tracking only steps and calories burned. The watch offers notifications but doesn’t display the content of messages. The only thing it notifies you of is the message coming in. While that would’ve been fine in 2005, this is 2018!

The Bottom Line

While the ever-charged technology on display here is awesome, it’s not attached to a particularly useful smartwatch. If you absolutely love the idea of an always-charged smartwatch and don’t need a ton of robust features, then maybe you’ll like this watch. However, if you already own an Android Wear or Apple Watch, you’re in possession of much more powerful and robust technology.

It’s hard to justify spending $280 on a watch that has functionality on par with a $40 smartwatch. The question you need to ask yourself with this smartwatch is “do I find an always-charged battery to be worth $280?” If the answer is no, you can skip this (admittedly interesting) watch.

August 1, 2018
Ten Superheroes Who Need Their Own Movies

Superhero films are red-hot at the moment. You can’t turn around without bumping into a superhero movie. If you feel as though there still aren’t enough big names out there in the superhero cinematic sphere, however, you’ll love this list. Today, we’re taking a look at the ten superheroes who need their own movies.

These are some lesser-known heroes from both DC and Marvel, characters we might not be likely to see. That said, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor and Iron Man were hardly A-listers before their films came out. Which is to say: there’s always a chance!

Superheroes Who Need Their Own Movies

Blue Beetle

Photo Credit: Amino Apps

DC’s technologically-outfitted hero Blue Beetle is a fan favorite. Three different heroes have carried the name throughout the character’s history, but the one we’re most likely to see on-screen is Ted Kord. Kord is a student of the original Blue Beetle, Dan Garret. He has no superpowers but uses technology to augment himself to fight crime. Ted would be an excellent protagonist in an Indiana Jones-style swashbuckling adventure.

Moon Knight

Photo Credit: Bleeding Cool

The dangerous, multiple personalities of Marc Spector allow him to blend into normal society before striking out as Moon Knight. Moon Knight, his night-time, crime-fighting identity is outfitted with all manner of gadgets and technology. Marc’s fascinating backstory and multiple personalities would lend him perfectly to a noir-style superhero crime film.

Booster Gold

Photo Credit: DC

Beginning his run in comics as a bit of an anti-hero, Booster Gold would be an ideal protagonist in a deconstruction-style movie. Born Michael Jon Carter in Gotham in the 25^th century, Booster Gold grew up in poverty. Upon stealing Rip Hunter’s Time Sphere, however, he traveled back in time and now uses his advanced technology and knowledge of future events to perform superheroics. However, Booster Gold is originally motivated only by a desire to become wealthy and famous, and cares little about actually helping people. While he eventually came around and became a true hero, his origins as a wealth-seeking glory hog would make for a fantastic change of pace in superhero movies.

Nova

Photo Credit: Freehdw.com

Richard Rider’s best shot at entering the MCU would have been through the Nova Corps on Xandar in the Guardians franchise. Given that Xandar has been destroyed, it seems more likely that the current Nova, Sam Alexander, is the more likely Nova to appear in the MCU. Sam’s place as a young hero trying to figure out what happened to the Nova Corps would play quite well with the current state of the MCU. It would also set Rider up to make a return from deep space, perhaps with Captain Marvel, thus explaining how he avoided death at Thanos’ hand.

Static Shock

Photo Credit: Comic Vine

A fan favorite, Static Shock had a very popular Saturday morning cartoon in the early 2000’s. He would be a great, lighthearted hero to get his own film to bring some levity to the DCEU. His expansive rogue’s gallery and charming personality would make him ideal for a standalone movie. It seems DC is more focused on films of this vein after the critically panned Justice League, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see Static in his own movie in the next few years.

Cable

Photo Credit: Marvel Database

He may have had a major role in Deadpool 2, but we still want Cable to get his own movie. The ultra-dark, scowling portrayal by Josh Brolin is absolutely excellent, and we’d just love to see more of him. Also, now that Fox and Disney are merging, Cable would be an excellent candidate to introduce the MCU to the X-Men. Perhaps some kind of temporal cascade or colliding reality brings the two universes together. It would also be delightfully hilarious to see Josh Brolin as Cable fighting Josh Brolin as Thanos.

Hercules

Photo Credit: Pinterest
Marvel’s take on Herc is often sarcastic and parodies his earliest appearances. In the modern comics, he’s a drunk, washed-up has-been of a superhero. A version of him in the MCU who comes out of his drunken retirement to fight ancient Grecian supervillains that threaten the modern world would be a cool use of the character. In many ways, the personality displayed by Thor onscreen is a bit more akin to the Hercules of the 80’s and 90’s and could be why we haven’t seen him yet. Thor’s presence in the MCU may have been too much ancient mythology for the series early on.

X-23

Photo Credit: Marvel

While she technically had a starring role as a little girl in Logan, we’d love to see the adult X-23 take to the screen. Now that Fox and Disney have merged, the odds of seeing a grown-up X-23 have gotten much better. Wolverine’s cloned daughter, Laura is a savage force to be reckoned with and an excellent candidate to star in an action movie.

Batman Beyond

Photo Credit: DC
Terry McGinnis takes up the mantle of Batman in a futuristic Gotham City after Bruce Wayne becomes too old to carry on the name. Another DC character with a strong cult following due to his early 2000’s cartoon, Terry would be a great star for a cyberpunk Batman film. Given the relative age of the Batman seen in the DCEU, this could be a route DC goes in a few years. We’d love to see Terry’s iconic black suit on the big screen.

Master of Kung Fu

Photo Credit: writeups.org

Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung Fu, would be a perfect fit in the MCU. For one thing, the character would be a perfect opportunity for the MCU to have a leading male Asian character. Shang-Chi’s unique backstory and powers would make him an ideal fit following the mysticism of Doctor Strange and Iron Fist. It would also be a unique opportunity in the MCU for a straight-up Kung Fu movie within the superhero setting.

August 1, 2018
Best Walk-In Tubs for Seniors

If you have lower mobility or weak joints, you may find getting in and out of the bathtub to be difficult. If this is the case, consider a walk-in tub. Walk-in tubs are great for seniors with low mobility. There are a lot of walk-in tubs available of varying prices and qualities. In order to help you make a decision, we’ve rounded up the best walk-in tubs for seniors for your consideration.

Open the door to improved health, safety, comfort, and mobility.

Stepping over a bathtub wall can be dangerous. However, when you have a walk-in tub/shower, you can easily open the door and safely step in. Safe Step Walk-In Tubs for seniors were designed with your safety, comfort and convenience in mind.

If you’ve seen the TV commercials for Pat Boone’s walk-in bathtub, you can see the appeal. Walk-in tubs can free you from having to wait for help from loved ones, letting you enjoy your bathtub anytime you like. Walk-in bath tubs will help give you the independence you deserve.

Best Walk-In Tubs for Seniors

Ella Walk-In Baths

The dual-drain system and in-line heater of Ella Walk-In Baths make them luxurious and modern! The steel and glass construction looks great, and their acrylics are top quality.

Independent Home

Spa-like walk-in tubs from Independent Home are wonderful. They have options for both aromatherapy and hydrotherapy, which are their specialties. The 8 models to chose from can all be wheelchair accessible, which helps you be more independent. They can also be installed in just one day!

Bathing Solutions

Notable features of Bathing Solutions tubs are chromotherapy and heated seats! These luxurious tubs offer a spa-like experience, much like Independent Home.

Safe Step Walk-In

Safe Step is a brand renowned for its safety options like grab-bars, anti-slip materials and low steps. If you’re concerned with safety, this is a great choice. Their options start at just $9,000.

Bath Planet

Bath Planet is another manufacturer that offers one-day installation. Grab bars, non-slip material and seats are available, making these very safe tubs. They offer the thickest material, an acrylic, in the walk-in tub market.

American Standard

Here’s a brand you’ve likely heard of! American Standard’s walk-in tubs are top quality, as you would expect. They offer warranties up to 15 years for their tub shells, and up to 10 years for the components that make them up. They have options for aerotherapy and whirlpool, as well as soaking!

Jacuzzi

Believe it or not, the Jacuzzi brand makes walk-in tubs too! What’s cooler than having a Jacuzzi in your house? These come with lifetime warranties, and they are very tall-walled. You can bathe all the way up to your neck in warm, bubbly water! They have wheelchair accessible models, too!

Bathing Safely

Another brand that puts safety first, Bathing Safely is a respected name in the field of walk-in tubs. Bathing Safely offers non-slip materials, grab bars and wheelchair accessibility. If you’re concerned about your mobility, these are great models to consider.

Luxury Bath Technologies

Luxury Bath Technologies is well-known for their customer service, professional installation and fast install times. If you don’t like having to hassle on the phone or with installers, consider this great company.

Hydro Dimensions

Last but not least, Hydro Dimensions offers 16 distinct styles of walk-in tub! They offer great features like hand-held showers and wheelchair accessibility. They also offer a lifetime warranty! You can even opt for a massage therapy tub!

July 31, 2018
Grover, Subscription Tech on the Reg

Now This could be something. Grover, a German start-up offering customers tech products on monthly, quarterly and yearly subscriptions, just raised more than $42 million in early-stage funding, he company hopes to change consumer behavior toward tech products by making outright purchases unattractive. After signing a partnership agreement with German e-retailer MediaMarkt, the company will focus exclusively on the German market, but could offer their services internationally in the future.

How Would This Work?

The Berlin-based startup that offers “pay-as-you-go” subscriptions to the latest consumer tech as an alternative to owning products outright. Grover wants to be something like a Netflix for gadgets. It offers individual tech products by monthly, three-monthly or yearly subscription, or via its newly launched “Grover Mix” subscription, which has a fixed monthly price and lets you switch item at any time.

Here in the States we have similar options, like rent to own. This would be less of a sham and more of a return my old iphone and get the new one for a small monthly fee. This would allow us all to remain on the cutting edge with out getting out dated in a few months. Ask me about my $8000 Mac Pro from February. Yeah you know the feeling.

You are afforded some upside protection, should you wish to purchase the item after renting it first. You’re given the option to buy products with 30 percent of your subscription payments to date being deducted from the recommended retail price. For longer rental periods, Grover will also warn you if you are close to reaching 130 percent of the full purchase price and prompt you to consider buying it for €1.

The Final Thought

There are still some serious kinks and logistic issues to iron out and this is still in the infant stages. On top of that it will only be available in Germany, not even in the rest of the EU. Need less to say I would be very in on the Grover Mix option. With their Series A in place this could be a big new thing i wouldn’t be surprised to see a global company take a crack at. If you havent put it together yet, if Grover’s subscription model becomes compelling enough, purchasing many tech products will become so unattractive buying tech will go the way of the Blockbuster. Stay tuned for more information as it develops.

July 31, 2018
IFA 2018 Rumor Roundup

IFA occurs yearly in the German capital, rounding up tons of new types of consumer technology. Everyone who’s anyone in the world of technology will be there, and we can expect to see tons of new types of tech. From smartphones to smart home speakers to anything else you could think of, it’ll all be there. Today we’re rounding up the rumors and news slated to come through at IFA 2018. Who are some of the big names we can expect to see?

Big Names to Watch for at IFA 2018

Sony

Sony is an oddball in the world of consumer electronics. While they offer a ton of premium electronics, they’re actually terribly unprofitable in this sector. Sony is currently afloat only thanks to their video game division. As such, there is tremendous pressure on this wing of the company to begin to turn a profit. Sony’s showing at IFA 2018 is expected to show off their smartphone range. Their Xperia XZ3 and XZ3 Compact are expected to make a big showing, given Sony’s dedication to their smartphone line. Also, likely to appear is the LF-S50G, Sony’s smart home speaker. Attempting to break into the smart home market in 2018 is incredibly difficult, but Sony seems like they’re really trying to hack it.

Samsung

While Samsung’s Note 9 has already been unveiled, the company is likely to show off their Galaxy S4 tablet. Tablets are struggling to break even in the tech market at the moment, as phablets and smartphones edge them out. In a similar vein to that, wearables have been underperforming recently but may be a focus of Samsung’s show at IFA 2018. The Gear S4 watch, perhaps under the name Galaxy Watch, could be making an appearance. Oddly, we may even see the Gear Fit 3 fitness tracker alongside the more smart-functionality focused Galaxy watch.

Acer

Computer maker Acer is expected to come into IFA 2018 with new gaming-focused PC rigs. PC gaming has seen an explosion in popularity in recent years, and Acer is certainly looking to cash in on this wave. The recent downturn in cryptocurrency values and growing uncertainty around them has led to decreased prices for GPUs. This, in turn, has further increased popular attention and demand for PC gaming. Acer showed off a number of exciting new gaming rigs at IFA 2017, and is expected to show off a similar lineup this weekend.

Lenovo

Chinese computer maker Lenovo will almost certainly be talking VR this year. Last year they introduced their Lenovo Explorer VR headset. While it caught a great deal of attention, it didn’t exactly catch in the crowded and underhyped VR market. This year they’re likely to focus on their more affordable Mirage Solo that was announced recently. Another potential point of focus for Lenovo may be a new version of their ThinkPad laptop, perhaps geared to go head-to-head with the Dell XPS 15.

July 31, 2018
Top Ten Games Nintendo Should Bring to the Nintendo 64 Classic

There’s nothing quite like a trip down memory lane. Everyone loves a good opportunity to wax nostalgic about their favorite video games. For many gamers, the era that introduced them to gaming was the N64 era, following the explosion of 3D adventure games. As such, the prospect of an N64 Classic has many gamers excited to see what kinds of games Nintendo might include. While there is some speculation that the issue of acquiring the rights to Rare properties might be a sticking point for Nintendo, we’re assuming they’ll work things out. With that minor quibble out of the way, let’s look at the ten games we most want to see appear on the Nintendo 64 Classic.

Mario Kart 64

Photo Credit: YouTube

The strongest selling point of the Nintendo 64 during its heyday was party-focused gameplay. The four controller ports on the front of the system sell this idea instantly. This console is one that you bust out when you have friends over. College dorms across the world were host to parties involving our first game, Mario Kart 64. Nintendo has an opportunity to sell many, many N64 controllers if they package this game (and a few others on this list) with the N64 Classic. That said, the controller may well be a sticking point: The Classic Consoles, up to this point, have had compact packaging. It remains to be seen how Nintendo will handle the large, unwieldy N64 controller in a potential re-release.

Super Smash Bros

Photo Credit: YouTube

The game that started the legendary Smash Bros franchise, Super Smash Bros remains one of the most fabled fighting games of all time. Its inclusion on the re-release would help solidify decades of Nintendo history, acting as a snapshot of a snapshot. Smash Bros contains countless references to older games and holds the history of the franchises within in reverence. This is not dissimilar from the Classic series as a whole, which seeks to immortalize the history of this legendary game company. Not to mention, the capacity of this game to set the stage for four-player party-mode is impossible to understate.

Goldeneye 007

Photo Credit: Mental Floss

Introducing an entire generation of gamers to first-person shooters is no easy task, but Rare did it. Their excellent N64 Bond game, Goldeneye, was well-regarded for having excellent graphics and controls. It was the center of countless gaming parties, as four-player split-screen ruled the day in multiplayer in this era. While this style of first-person shooter fell out of favor after the introduction of Halo, it remains a favorite of many. If only for the nostalgic memory of parties with friends, Goldeneye maintains a stellar reputation among gamers.

Banjo-Kazooie

Photo Credit: Nintendo

The N64 saw the golden age of the collect-a-thon 3D platformer. Nowhere is that better exemplified than in the classic, Banjo-Kazooie. Filled to the brim with fun, wacky characters and pure joie de vivre, Banjo is an unforgettable experience. Those who spent hours hunting down well-hidden puzzle pieces can attest to the game’s addictive, simple fun.

Diddy Kong Racing

Photo Credit: Emu Paradise

Rare was nigh unbeatable in the late nineties. Diddy Kong Racing, their take on Mario Kart-style arcade racers, is regarded as one of the best racing games of all time. Its open world adventure, huge character roster and range of vehicle types made it one of the most robust of its era. To this day, few cart racing games can match up to DKR in scope. Or, even if they can, they don’t quite match its inventive, fun spirit.

Mario Party

Photo Credit: RomsMania.com

We feel as though any entry in this series would be a fine fit on the Nintendo 64 Classic. However, 2 or 3 may be preferred, if only because of their increased number of minigames and boards. Another fantastic party game and one of the finest virtual board games, Mario Party is an easy inclusion. If ever there was a way to sell more N64 controllers, including Mario Party on the system would be guaranteed to do it. Many rivalries were borne out of this game’s mechanics, and some persist to this day. I still have a few scores of my own to settle…

Pokemon Stadium

Photo Credit: Switch Era

The first game to see Pokemon brought to the big screen, Pokemon Stadium served as a bridge for the handheld games. Importing Pokemon to the game through the adapter pack might even be possible in a potential N64 Classic. While not many people still have their old cartridges, the inclusion of such an option could pay dividends for Nintendo. It could even be a way to prepare consumers for a potential Game Boy Color Classic. Imagine: you can transfer Pokemon caught in your emulated Pokemon Red to your emulated Pokemon Stadium!

Paper Mario

Photo Credit: Emu Paradise

No one expected this silly-looking, gimmicky Mario title to be one of the most robust, fleshed-out RPGs of all time. Well, it is all that and more. Witty, funny, engaging and downright awesome, Paper Mario stands as one of the greatest RPGs ever created. While the series went on to have a stellar sequel in Thousand Year Door, subsequent entries left the RPG elements behind in favor of platforming and light puzzle solving. However, introducing younger gamers to the original would be an excellent way to drum up excitement for a proper sequel!

Ocarina of Time

Photo Credit: Zeldapedia

Included on countless best-of lists, Ocarina of Time is one of the very best adventure games ever crafted. Its structural purity, eagerness to explore and tantalizing world make it an entirely engrossing quest. Link’s allegorical and literal journey from boyhood to adulthood resonated with countless gamers. To this day, the impacts of the game’s mechanics and world are still being felt around all 3D adventure titles. As the first, and the greatest, it’s impossible to not at least reference the title when making a third-person adventure.

Super Mario 64

Photo Credit: Nerdist

While Sony may have beat Mario to market with Crash Bandicoot, Mario defined the nature of 3D platformers with this game. Never quite matched before or since, Mario 64 is a rare game indeed. Featuring a sense of wonder and exploration unique to Nintendo, this game taught gamers all over the world how to think in three dimensions when platforming. Complex, skill-rewarding courses meld with pitch-perfect sound design to deliver a rich experience.

The star of the show, however, is Mario’s perfectly tuned controls. Whenever you botch a jump or die to an enemy, there’s no one to blame but yourself. You always feel as though the move you’re trying to pull off is a few button inputs away. Nothing stops you from enjoying this game to its fullest, as you jump, dive and explore to your heart’s content. Truly, this is one of the finest adventures Nintendo has to offer from its backlog.

Feature Image Credit: DualShockers

July 31, 2018
Apple’s iPhone X 6.1 Leak

It is once again that time of year. Now usually I like to wait till August 1st to start sifting through the rumors and mock ups about the new iphones, but we have a bonafide and pretty legitimate iPhone X 6.1 Leak. Serial mobile leaker Benjamin Geskin today shared images depicting what he claims are dummy units of Apple’s upcoming 6.5-inch “iPhone X Plus” and mid-tier 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. Images of iPhone dummy units have become something of an annual tradition in the rumor mill and these pictures come at the expected time in the yearly iPhone cycle. Lets get this party started with a quick “what we know” and “what we want” for this new Iphone.

Coming September Probably

No official announcement has been made but according to long time industry insider…Me.. look for tuesday Sept 11th for a surprise apple announcement. They will likely announce the new Iphones at a keynote then. look for a a ship date of the new phone Sept 28th. There could be a curveball in the mix like last year. We didn’t see the new iPhone X 6.1 ship till Nov 3rd. That seems to be the exception and not the rule.

What We Know About the iPhone X 6.1

What we know so far is pretty slim and slight. Apple CEO Tim Cook stated there would be a lock down on classified apple intel. However, Apple will announce a 6.1 inch iPhone X. at a full 6.1 no bezel this will be the largest flagship screen available on any mobile phone. As of today we got a look at the first leaked image of this behemoth. (See Above).

Apple’s next iPhone unveiling is still over a month and a half away, we already have a pretty solid grasp on what Apple’s 2018 iPhone lineup is going to bring to the table. As you’ve probably heard by now, Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup will likely consist of three brand new devices: a next-gen iPhone x , a 6.5-inch iPhone 9 Plus, and a 6.1-inch iPhone with an edgeless LCD display. In All likelihood it would make more sense to drop the Plus altogether and have an x and an x plus only.

What We Want

All we really want at this point is some subsidy on the price. Like we use to get, Iphone $199 every 2 years. One of the more intriguing rumors regarding Apple’s next-gen iPhone lineup has nothing to do with features but rather with price. The iPhone X’s $1,000 price point likely kept otherwise interested consumers from upgrading, Apple this year will reportedly price the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone somewhere in the $600 to $700 range.

If this particular rumor pans out, it stands to reason that Apple will see an avalanche of upgrades as the device will likely prove to be incredibly popular among existing iPhone owners interested in a brand new form factor but not interested in breaking the bank. The cheaper price point, naturally, will come with a few tradeoffs. Most notably, the device will feature an LCD display as opposed to OLED. Further, the 6.1-inch iPhone may not ship with 3D Touch and may house less RAM. Design wise, the 6.1-inch iPhone may also feature thicker bezels than its iPhone X counterparts.

The Final Thought

Year after year its been minute upgrades, small changes, and adaptations but nothing revolutionary. They set the table for a big year this year with the iphone X. I always felt the X was a beta of their next phone and soon we will see the perfected device. All that said, what do we really want to see in our iphones? Holographic displays, flexible screens, stackability? Honestly at this point we have all we need, want or desire just make it better and give us one more cool this we don’t even know about.

July 30, 2018