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  • Top Ten Games Released Before 1996

    Top Ten Games Released Before 1996

    The era before the middle of the 90’s is remembered for being a time of simpler video games and more bare-bones design. The release of the Sega Saturn, PlayStation and N64 would lead to the 3D-era of gaming. However, the game that came before would inform the types of games that would be made for decades after. With that in mind, get ready to take a trip back to the late 80’s and early 90’s, as we talk retro games! Here’s our ten favorite games released before 1996!

    Phantasy Star II

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    Sega might not make consoles anymore, but there was a time when they were one of the biggest names in gaming. A key aspect of their ongoing duel with Nintendo was the Phantasy Star franchise. These dark, critically acclaimed sci-fi RPGs defined the Genesis era as much as Sonic did. Interestingly, the game was released a few months before Final Fantasy in the US, which helped its popularity immensely. While Final Fantasy would go on to become a very well-known series, Phantasy Star was huge in the late 80’s. Phantasy Star II was also the first game on a six-megabit cartridge, which made it a technological wonder at the time!

    The gameplay wouldn’t wow you today, especially if you’ve already played a number of classic Final Fantasy titles. That said, it’s still a well-made and fun RPG. Interestingly, the game was an early model of many tropes that would come to be genre-standard. The pathos, storytelling and heart on display here would go on to define story-driven RPGs. Sega might not make consoles anymore, but games like this remind us why they once did.

    Mega Man

    Photo Credit: Redbubble

    No, we’re still not sure what’s going on with that box art. Hailing the game’s “high definition graphics” (seriously?) and state-of-the-art make, the box art belies one of the greatest games ever made. Mega Man is a side-scrolling platformer where you assume the role of the titular character. Your mission is to hunt down and decommission a number of robots who have gone rogue. Once you take them down, you take their weapons and increase your own power.

    Mega Man is remembered for its engaging side-scrolling action, tense boss fights and feeling of progression. As you learned the levels and boss fight patterns, you felt ever stronger. Then, when you brought a boss low, you’d equip their weapon and your strength would grow greater still. Mega Man when on to have about ten thousand sequels, so you’ve definitely heard of the Blue Bomber.

    Gunstar Heroes

    Photo Credit: Retro Gamer
    Side-scrolling shooters were hot in the early 90’s, from Contra to Gunstar Heroes. The latter was a huge hit for Sega, and a defining game on the Genesis. Featuring fast-paced, flashing action and intense boss fights, Gunstar Heroes was a technical marvel for Sega. Compared to other games in the genre, Gunstar was a white-knuckle rush with bright colors and detailed sprites. While games like Metal Slug and Contra would go on to be more well-known, the early 90’s were Sega’s era.

    Chrono Trigger

    Photo Credit: Nerdist

    If that art style looks familiar, that’s because it’s Akira Toriyama, the acclaimed artist behind Dragon Ball. With Toriyama’s art gracing the box and Square’s pedigree for great RPGs carrying the name, Chrono Trigger was a big deal. Games released before 1996 didn’t often have this level of lavish detail or in-depth plotting. Featuring graphics that charmed as well as delighted and a fantastic story, Chrono Trigger felt like a game from the future. It helped that its story followed time-travelers!

    The game has simple-but-intriguing RPG mechanics that never overwhelm the player. The game branches in different ways and offers multiple endings. New Game Plus allows you to go back through the game with your built-up characters. This also lets you see the other endings! Chrono Trigger was a monumental game, and the impact can still be felt today.

    Super Mario Bros

    Photo Credit: Emulator.Online

    What can be said about Miyamoto’s masterful Super Mario Bros that hasn’t been said? This game defined a generation of gaming. Pitch-perfect controls, iconic sound design and those bright graphics introduced millions of people to Nintendo. Who hasn’t heard of Mario? You have this master piece of platforming design to thank for it. Everything from the sound and height of Mario’s jump to the music that plays when you enter Bowser’s castle just screams “fun.” And, in the end, that’s what defines this franchise: an overall sense of fun and whimsy. Whether you’re 8 or 80, Mario has something for you.

    Bouncing off of Koopas, swimming around Bloopers, throwing fireballs thanks to the Fire Flower; it’s all so much fun. If you were a kid in this era, you definitely remember the first time you sat down in the floor and played Mario.

    Sonic the Hedgehog

    Photo Credit: Emulator.Onlne

    While Nintendo had Mario for their mascot, Sega had the Blue Blur, Sonic. If you were around in this era, you remember the superheated marketing campaigns with Sega and Nintendo exchanging jabs. Sonic was a fast-paced, too-cool-for-school mascot for the edgy and cool Sega. Mario was the stuffy, boring stooge, according to Sega’s marketing, and he just couldn’t keep up with Sonic.

    The first Sonic game definitely lived up to its name in a few ways. For one, the game was blisteringly fast. When you acquired a mastery of the levels and control, you could zoom through them at sonic speeds. The other way it lived up to that name was through the great music, a feature that would be a staple of the series. While Sonic has struggled to find an identity in the aftermath of Sega leaving the console market, he was once a pretty big deal. Nowhere is that more evident than in his triumphant Genesis titles.

    Final Fantasy

    Photo Credit: RetroSelection

    RPG games were staples among games before 1996. The technological limitations meant that top-down exploration and turn-based battles were necessities of the hardware, not stylistic decisions. When technology got stronger, some RPGs, like Final Fantasy 12, broke the tradition, but others, like Bravely Default, simply iterated on it. However, the game that would define RPGs in this era was supposed to be its creator’s last game: Final Fantasy.

    The game took inspiration from American tabletop game Dungeons and Dragons. Final Fantasy appealed to a generation of kids who grew up playing D&D with their friends and loved seeing the adventures come to life on-screen. While the graphics weren’t revolutionary, the enemy design and open-world inspired gamers and game makers alike. As you might guess, since the 15th game in the series just released a few years ago, it was a huge success. And it all started with the humble NES RPG in the late 80’s.

    Donkey Kong Country

    Photo Credit: The Punished Backlog

    Rare’s masterpiece of platforming action redefined just how good a 2D game could look. Using a revolutionary style of converting 3D models into 2D sprites, Rare wowed gamers in 1994 with Donkey Kong Country. It helped that the game felt great to play, too! With controls tight and polished enough to rival Mario, DKC served as the start to a great series of platformers.

    And you can’t talk about DKC without talking about its soundtrack. Ambient, beautiful music scored by legendary David Wise graces the game’s levels. Atmospheric, memorable and occasionally, haunting, the songs are almost too good to accompany a goofy game about jumping apes. That said, this game remains one of the greatest of all time, and it was a huge success for Nintendo in the early 90’s.

    Super Metroid

    Photo Credit: Polygon

    No discussion of games released before 1996 would be complete without Super Metroid making the list. As one of the most influential adventure games of all time, Super Metroid redefined what you can do in an adventure game. Featuring unrivaled visual storytelling and an oppressive atmosphere, Super Metroid really puts you in Samus’ shoes. The boss fights are intense and challenging, the enemies are merciless and well-animated, and the power-ups feel earned and powerful. The feeling of growing into an unstoppable pirate-killing badass pervades every aspect of the game.

    The only thing one could say to detract from Super Metroid, if they wanted to do such a thing, is criticize how long it took for Nintendo to follow it up. And follow it up they did, but that’s a story for another article! Improving upon everything delivered in the first Metroid, Super Metroid is one of the finest games of all time.

    The Greatest Game Released Before 1996: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

    Photo Credit: The Verge

    It’s a stormy night, and you awake from a nightmare. The princess said she was in danger, and it seemed so real. Your uncle is visibly upset, getting ready to head out into the storm. He tells you to stay in, as it’s dangerous out tonight. He opens the door, and rainwater is blown in by the storm, covering the floorboards. He ventures out into the night, and you grab your lantern; you can’t let him go to the castle alone!

    That’s how the finest video game of all time opens. What follows is one of the most inspired, exciting and purely fun adventures ever made. Brilliant puzzles, excellent dungeons and gorgeous sprites flesh out the sprawling fantasy world, always drawing the player in. The story isn’t Game of Thrones, but it’s still affecting and epic in scope. While the villains’ motives are rarely more than “acquire power, torture people,” they offer a great foil to the player’s quest for justice. If you’ve never played this masterpiece, you need to. If you have, you certainly remember it as the game that made you a lifelong fan of Zelda and Nintendo.

  • New Malware Targets Fortnite Cheaters

    New Malware Targets Fortnite Cheaters

    In an unusual twist, those gamers downloading hacks for Fortnite may be in danger of downloading malware. Fortnite, the super-popular battle royale game, is quite competitive, and some less-scrupulous players opt to download cheating scripts. Such scripts give them an unfair edge, doing things like aiming for them or altering their screen’s heads-up display. These cheaters are clearly making the experience worse for others, but they seem to be getting a comeuppance.

    Fortnite Cheaters Drowning in Malware

    The malware was detected by a company called Rainway. Rainway is a remote streaming service that allows its users to play games while away from their computers. The company’s traffic enforces whitelisting, only connecting to URLs that have been given an official go-ahead. As such, the malware, which was redirecting ad traffic to different servers, caught their attention, as did the common denominator behind them. All of the players who were experiencing these errors were Fortnite players!

    By narrowing it down, Rainway was able to quickly discern that the malware in question came from a specific aim-bot hack. According to a report by Ars Technica, the malware acted as a man-in-the-middle attack, which would begin hosting ads from adtelligent.com and springserve.com. The attacks would cut off legitimate ads and run the ones hosted on the aforementioned sites. Rainway informed the site that was providing the Fortnite hack, as well as Adtelligent and Sringserve. The site hosting the hack took it down, and Springserve helped purge the hosted ads. Adtelligent had no comment, nor did Epic, the company that makes Fortnite.

    The Moral of the Story

    An easy way to avoid viruses like this is to not download anything from sketchy websites. Running scripts from cheat-hosting websites is like inviting strangers into your house: you don’t know what they’ll do with your stuff. While cheaters are jerks for trying to get an unfair advantage, we don’t want anyone having their computers ruined by viruses. So, be smart, don’t cheat at video games, and don’t download sketchy hacks! This malware wasn’t even that disruptive. The next one might not be so generous!

  • Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

    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.


  • Largest Bike Sharing Service in the US Bought by Lyft

    Largest Bike Sharing Service in the US Bought by Lyft

    Lyft has recently acquired the largest bike sharing service (yeah, that’s a thing, apparently) in the US for $250 million. If that’s got you scratching your head, don’t worry, we are too. Jokes aside, the bike company, called Motivate, operates a number of bike rental services in urban centers that use bikes instead of cars. The offered bike rentals around the city are a combination of novel and useful. For one thing, they’re just neat: you go to a docking station and grab a bike! Additionally, the usefulness of not having to lug a bike downtown is a big draw to customers.

    Ride Sharing’s Interest in Bike Sharing

    Similarly, Uber recently purchased New York-based Jump Bikes. Lyft and Uber’s sudden interest in the bike sharing market may seem odd at a glance, but it makes sense. The primary income for both companies comes from densely-packed urban centers. Those same urban centers are a prime location for using a bike to get around. And, what better way to dig into Uber and Lyft than offering cheap bike rentals?

    In order to head off this potential thorn in their side, the companies did the thing they do best, and threw money at the problem. In this case, it worked out pretty well: they both possess significantly more bikes now than they did, and the competition is gone.

    That said, Lyft seems to have come out on top, as Motivate currently operates in dozens of cities in the US. This marks the first time the ride sharing company considered second-fiddle to Uber has come out on top in a bid for supremacy. This can only spell good things for customers: increased competition leads to better, cheaper services. If you find yourself in a large metropolis looking for a good way to get around, keep your eyes peeled for a Lyft sign over a bike station. You might just be able to drop some quarters and grab a two-wheeled ride!

  • Amazon Looking to Head off Drone Hijackers

    Amazon Looking to Head off Drone Hijackers

    Amazon’s drone delivery service hasn’t taken off just yet, but they’re gearing up for it now with a slew of new patents. One such patents is an early attempt at heading off would-be drone hijackers. As fleets of goods-carrying drones head out from Amazon warehouses, the company is wary of crooks who would try to bring them down and steal their cargo.

    Amazon’s Answer to Drone Hijackers

    In a patent recently filed by the company, they stated the following. “As the use of UAVs continues to increase, so does the likelihood of hostility towards UAVs. Such hostility may come in the form of attacks brought for any number of purposes (e.g., steal the UAVs and their payloads, crash the UAVs, and otherwise cause disruption to the operation of the UAVs).”

    Further, “Using these attacks, nefarious individuals and/or systems may be able to obtain control of the UAVs by hacking the communication signals being sent to the UAVs from a controller and/or being sent by the UAV to the controller.” Amazon says that this “could cause the UAVs to operate unsafely and could also result in considerable financial loss for their operators.”

    What solution do they propose? A “heartbeat” signal. The idea is simple: the drone controller would send a baseline ping, called a heartbeat, to verify that the drone is okay. If the heartbeat isn’t echoed by the drone, it would be placed into emergency mode. In such a mode, the drone would attempt to reestablish connection with control. In the event that it couldn’t do so, it would begin to move towards an established safe-zone. Such a safe zone would allow the drone to be safely brought down and have its cargo retrieved. Clever!

    Amazon’s Drone Future

    Drones seem to be an attractive avenue of expansion for Amazon. After all, you have to pay a delivery driver, insure them and gas their truck up. Not to mention, the delivery truck can’t fly. A drone, however, is automated and electric. For them, it’s a simple choice. However, for delivery drivers, the drones may soon work them out of their jobs. Maybe it’s time to learn to perform drone maintenance or control, huh?

  • Amazon Prime Day 2018: Here’s the Lowdown

    Amazon Prime Day 2018: Here’s the Lowdown

    While the first Prime Day may have been a bit disappointing, the company righted the ship a bit in 2016 and 2017. For Amazon Prime Day 2018, Amazon is promising great deals to Prime membership holders. Firstly, let’s discuss the day of: Prime Day will be on July 16th, and will last for 36 hours. Not long, huh? The idea is to get you to spend, spend, spend, so it was never going to last long. What kind of deals can we expect? And what’s up with all this Prime Day stuff, anyway?

    Prime Day’s Origins

    In 2015, Amazon started the Prime Day tradition. The first one was a bit rocky, with some deals not being quite as advertised. When it was launched, however, Amazon had grand ambitions: they wanted a national shopping holiday bigger than Black Friday. While that may not have quite panned out yet, the company is still pushing. That said, the savings are only available to Prime members. So, if you’re still on the fence about getting Amazon Prime (and you really should have it,) Prime Day is a great day to get it to snag the savings.

    Prime Day 2018 Details

    The savings will kick off at 3 PM on July 16th, or noon if you’re on the West Coast. Previous Prime Days have only run for 30 hours, but this year it’ll run an extra six hours to 36. That means you have until late on the 17th to grab some great deals.

    There will be many of those, too: between all-event deals and Lightning Deals, there will be plenty of chances to save. Technology is the hottest item, of course, and sales on TVs, video games and smart devices are popular. However, items like food and household supplies go on sale during the event too. Since Amazon bought Whole Foods, expect to see savings there too!

    Prepare your wallet: the sale is coming.

  • Which is our Favorite Grocery Delivery App?

    Which is our Favorite Grocery Delivery App?

    Grocery delivery apps are surprisingly plentiful these days! While everyone hates having to set aside time to go to the grocery store, delivery services help lighten the load. Spending less time in stores and driving around free up more you time! Which is the best grocery delivery app for your money, though? We’ve got some of our favorites for you to check out right here! 

    Walmart 

    Photo Credit: The Edgelands 

    Whether you’re doing curbside pickup or having the groceries delivered right to you, Walmart has it. Some areas don’t have access to delivery, but most have same-day pickup at least. While we don’t try to disparage major retailers, any excuse to not have to venture into a Walmart is a good one. So, if you like the prices of Walmart’s groceries but would rather not go inside, this is a great app for you. The cool part, you don’t need a membership to take advantage of the service, unlike some delivery services. 

    Instacart 

    Photo Credit: Instacart 

    Available in larger cities, Instacart is great for those who love eating whole foods. They shop from stores like Whole Foods, Petco, Costco and CVS. Professional shoppers fulfill your order and then deliver it to you. Order have a $10 minimum, though. On the bright side, any order over $35 have no delivery fee. If you subscribe to the Instacart Express service, you can have shoppers go to multiple stores for you on one delivery. 

    Shipt

     

    Photo Credit: Appcrawlr 

    While Walmart has its own service, Target has delivery through the Shipt service. Shipt is an excellent app, well-designed and clean. It’s either $14 per month or $99 per year, and then you’re set to have groceries delivered. The service is very personable and offers same-day delivery. Great for lovers of Target’s products! 

    Peapod

    Photo Credit: Softpedia News 

    Peapod has the distinction of being the only delivery service on this list founded in the 80’s! Founded back in 1989, the service is now a full-scale delivery app. It has robust filtering features, allowing you to shop easily from the app. You won’t have any trouble finding exactly what you’re looking for! Also useful are the meal kits that let you order all the ingredients for a specific meal. The “Order Genius” helps to autofill your common purchases, too! You can do either delivery or pickup in certain cities. You even get free delivery for the first 60 days with the service! 

    Google Express 

    Photo Credit: iTunes 

    Google Express shops from a wide variety of retailers to fulfill your order. These include Walmart and Target, as well as Costco and Walgreens. You can do one- or two-day shipping on orders, and as long as you hit the order minimum, there’s no delivery fee. What’s even better, there’s no membership fee either! As long as you’re just shopping for groceries, this service doesn’t really cost you anything. Nothing’s better than free, right? 

    FreshDirect

    Photo Credit: Yelp 

    Available in the Northeast, FreshDirect is a great service for you if you live in an area it covers. They don’t offer same-day delivery, but they have partnerships with many local farms and fisheries to ensure the freshest food is delivered. Their focus on freshness extends beyond just their name! While they offer a few household supplies for delivery, their main purpose is delivering farm-fresh food. Order minimums are $30, though, so be ready to buy a good few groceries at once! 

    Thrive Market

    Photo Credit: Jenni Kayne 

    Thrive Market focuses on wholesaling for great deals. By buying direct, they try to control for great, organic food that also saves you money. That’s pretty hard to beat, huh? The best part is, this service puts its money where its mouth is. For every subscription, the app offers a subscription to a low-income family. That’s pretty noble and earns them some deserved goodwill. If you eat paleo, gluten-free, or other such health diets, this is a great delivery app for you to look into. Your first 30 days with the service are free, so you can test the waters before you buy! 

    Brandless

     

    Photo Credit: Brandless 

    Brandless has a pretty interesting gimmick: everything on the service is $3. For $36 a year, you have access to the unique pricing and packaging of the Brandless brand. Every product is non-GMO, if that’s your jam. Even better, when you sign up, ten meals are donated to the hungry. Each time you shop after that, two more meals are donated. Hard to say no to a win-win, isn’t it? 

    Best Overall Grocery Delivery App: Amazon Fresh

    Photo Credit: The Verge 

    Our favorite grocery delivery app is Amazon Fresh. You can sign up for a 30-day trial and try it out, but if you already have Amazon Prime, you’re set. Just hop on and shop from Amazon’s huge selection of groceries available for delivery. You can even get groceries from Whole Foods, since Amazon acquired them. Between the selection, the service and the price, this is your best bet. If you already use Amazon for your other delivery needs, it only makes sense to use them to have your groceries delivered. 

  • How to Keep your Dog Calm During Fireworks

    How to Keep your Dog Calm During Fireworks

    If you live in a state where commercial fireworks are legal, and you have dogs, this is probably your least favorite time of year. Fireworks are bad for the environment, of course, and terrible for wildlife. Not to mention, they cause most domestic pets to panic and potentially cause harm to themselves or others. Here are a few quick tips to help sooth your pets while the fireworks are going off.

    Masking Sounds of Fireworks

    One great method to help your pup feel calmer during fireworks shows is to mask the sound. Turn up the TV or crank up the tunes, hop on the couch and snuggle with your buddy. Give them tons of treats and affection and try to just keep their mind off the explosions outside.

    If your dog isn’t big on cuddling on the couch, or doesn’t like loud music, there’s another version of this technique. Go into a bedroom with lots of soft, sound-absorbing things like pillows and blankets. Grab a huge box fan and crank it up. This will provide a ton of loud white noise. Then, get in the floor and play with your dog and keep them distracted from the otherwise-distressing noise.

    Comforting Pressure

    Some dogs can’t handle loud sounds at all, so masking it is not an option. For dogs like that, pressure is the best way to keep them calm. Not a lot, mind you, just enough to be reassuring. For a smaller dog, wrap them in a blanket and just sooth them the way you normally would.

    For a larger dog who you can’t hold tight in a blanket, you’ll have to get a bit more creative. Such a dog will need a special compression vest or suit, several of which are available online or in pet stores. Find one that’s the right size for your dog and slip them into it before the fireworks start.

    I sincerely hope these suggestions help you and your dog. With luck, no one’s pup will run away or hurt themselves this year. Until then, have a safe and happy 4th of July.

  • Moto G6 Feature Roundup: Surprisingly High-End for Low Price

    Moto G6 Feature Roundup: Surprisingly High-End for Low Price

    Normally, if you want a high-end phone, you have to pay high-end money. In the case of the new Moto G6, though, that’s not quite the case. Motorola’s been making handsets for years now, but this may be their best balancing act yet. In nearly every respect, this is a step up from the G5 of last year. For the price, you’re not going to find a better smartphone value. 

    Upgrades This Year 

    If you’ve used a Moto G5, you know that it’s a great budget phone. However, this phone is an upgrade in nearly every way. This year’s model comes with a USB-C port instead of micro-USB, for one. For another, it sports two cameras, allowing for portrait mode photos (which are totally in right now, just check Instagram). The design has been modernized, too, with an ultra-long 18×9 display and curved edges. Not to mention, that smooth, enviable Gorilla Glass back. If those design notes sound familiar, it’s because they echo the excellent (if pricey) iPhone X.  

    The Downsides 

    The drawbacks to this phone aren’t numerous and are mostly forgiven for the low price point. For one, it has a relatively small battery when compared to the G5. That alone isn’t a deal-breaker, but it’s a slight bummer. It does support Turbo Charging through its USB-C port, though! The only other drawback is the somewhat lackluster camera. But, at the low price, it’s hard to fault this phone much for those gripes. 

    Moto G6: Bottom Line 

    The final word on this phone? For $250, you’re not going to find a more premium-feeling phone. If you like the Android operating system and want a great deal on a modern phone, you should check out the Moto G6. If you’re in the market for something that is a bit more premium, of course, the Samsung Galaxy family of phones is probably more your speed. However, if you’re not looking to spend a fortune on a smartphone but don’t want to look like you didn’t, this is the phone for you. 

  • 2019 Silverado Arrives with Lower Price

    2019 Silverado Arrives with Lower Price

    Chevy’s 2019 Silverado surprised the industry by announcing that the price will be $700 lower than last year’s model. The new truck is set to be the largest volume vehicle in the range, which is fantastic for the lower price.

    Not to mention, the vehicle will be more fuel efficient than last year’s model, which makes it a win-win! 

    2019 Silverado: Premium, But Priced for Everyone 

    People are excited that a truck with as much room and luxury as the Silverado is seeing a price reduction. Standard features on the truck are even more exciting for that price. These include active aero shutters, eight-speed automatic transmission and start-stop technology. The coolest new feature is under the hood, though: the 2.7 liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Nothing screams “great deal” like a lower price and new standard features, right? 

    Spacious Interior, Great Towing 

    If you’re a truck lover, you probably love the roomy interior. Thankfully, the 2019 Silverado will deliver on that front. According the Vice President of Chevrolet, Brian Sweeney, you have nothing to fear on that front.  Compared to every other vehicle in the range, he says “it offers more interior and cargo room, higher towing and payload capabilities.” 

    If you own a truck, you have it to do work. Whether that’s towing, carrying cargo or carrying people, you’ll love the spacious truck. If you’re serious about your work, you want the most power and the most room for the best price. If there’s anything to be said at this stage, it’s that this new offering from Chevy delivers. How often is a brand-new vehicle less expensive than its predecessor and even better? Well, there’s a first time for everything!  

    Pricing and Release Date 

    The starting price for the 2019 Silverado is $29,795. Release is slated for Fall of this year. It looks like this year’s modeled in positioned in the sweet spot between luxury and high price. It might be time to think about getting a new truck!