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  • The New Samsung A9 Is Here!

    The New Samsung A9 Is Here!

    The Samsung A9 is one of the best affordable new options from Samsung! The new Samsung A9 smartphone boasts some serious upgrades over its predecessors. This model is a mid-grade phone that is a great option for people who want a phone with plenty of style and features but are also looking for something a lot more budget-friendly.

    You’ll get all-new design features and the latest technology such as a quad camera, a fast-charging battery, and an octa-Core processor with 6GB or 8GB RAM. With plenty of great tech in this small streamlined package, the cutting edge A9 is a much more affordable option than the S9 and really gives you your money’s worth. If you are looking for a new smartphone on a budget, read on to learn about the new Samsung A9.

    Samsung A9

    Four Cameras

    Notably, the A9 sports an absurd number of cameras on the back. The Google Pixel and iPhone X have made Bokeh-style portraits a normal sight with their dual-camera setups. However, Samsung is going crazy with the cameras on the A9, giving it four.

    The four cameras allow for a number of crazy photography tricks. Portrait mode, of course, is still here. A similar mode that allows for selective focus of subjects is also available, as are low-light modes. Additionally, there is a super-wide mode for vacation and travel shots to capture wide vistas. Pretty much any kind of normal photography you want to do is a breeze with the A9.

    The four rear cameras and a single front camera provide greater functionality, allowing you to take nearly flawless photos. This combination of cameras allows the user to adjust background blur and get a more accurate depth. The low light camera feature is also very clear and highly defined.

    Battery

    The battery in this phone is huge, allowing for a full day of apps and activity without draining the whole battery. That’s a huge plus in an era when smartphones are a huge part of our lives. Additionally, in the event your phone dies, it supports fast-charging. As a bonus, the phone also ships with a fast-charger, which is a huge value.

    While many phones support fast-charging, few of them actually ship with one in the box. With an extended battery life, you’ll rarely be separated from your phone, and when you are, it won’t be for long thanks to the included fast charger.

    Specs

    The specs on the A9 are impressive for any phone, especially a mid-range phone. It has a large 6.38″ AMOLED screen which makes watching movies and playing games much more enjoyable. This phone also has an octa-core processor and fingerprint sensor built into the screen. When it comes to the multi-camera feature things get interesting.

    The main camera is a 24-megapixel f/1.7 camera and it works in conjunction with a 10-megapixel telephoto lens for 2x zoom shots. There is also an 8-megapixel ultrawide angle 120-degree camera for landscapes. The 5-megapixel camera is the depth sensor that allows the camera to adjust for blur.

    In addition, the A9 has an octa-core processor with the option for 6 or 8GB RAM so you don’t have to worry about slow speeds. As for internal storage, you can get up to 128GB with the A9 but you can also add up to 512GB via a microSD card.

    One of the cool features that have people buzzing is the array of colors that are available. This model comes in cotton candy pink, lemonade blue, and caviar black. The texture of the phone also allows it to shimmer in the light, making it very eye-catching.

    Bottom Line

    When it comes to affordability, the A9 is hard to beat for people who want impressive performance, technology, and a quality camera like you’d find in more expensive models. The A9 will sell for approximately $450 to $500, depending on the model you want, which is about half the price of the S9 and Note 9 Galaxy models. While you won’t get the exact performance specs of those models, if you are looking for a solid smartphone alternative that is almost just as good as some of the top-of-the-line models, you won’t be disappointed in the A9. Indeed, the A9 is a pleasant surprise for the year and proves to be a real gem among the insanely priced smartphones that are flooding the market today.

  • Stop Losing Luggage!..Best Luggage Tracking Options

    Stop Losing Luggage!..Best Luggage Tracking Options

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

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

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

    Best Luggage Tracking Options

    Trak Dot

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

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

    LugLoc

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

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

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

    Other Options

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

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

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

  • Galaxy Note 9 “Best Phone for Seniors”?

    Galaxy Note 9 “Best Phone for Seniors”?

    I spent much of the prime youthful years of my life teaching senior citizens how to cope and use their smartphones. I would host seminars 3 times a week inside the verizon stores for just this. For years I always recommended the iphones to our senior customers, but now im starting to think the Galaxy Note 9 may be the  best phone for seniors. Here is why…

     

    While I have said the Galaxy Note 9 puts powerful technology in the hands of the tech geeks and gamers who demand more powerful and more screen from their smartphones. It most certainly boast innovative features and design make it the only phone to keep up with the next generation of  senior users. There is 2 big reasons I believe the Samsung note is the best phone for our senior community, intuitiveness and screen size.

     

    The Intuitive Galaxy note 9

    For years the greatest generation and early gen x crowds where taught everything the way it had been taught before. There were always steps, reasons and an order to everything, weather it was building a fence or cooking a recipe. There was a memorization to everything they learned. That’s not the case with technology today, you can not memorize the steps it takes to make a phone call or send a text because its always different depending on the screen you are on. You have to look at your phone like you are Detective Columbo, Whats here that wasn’t here before? What’s not here that was here before, and what has changed? The great thing is our seniors have started to master this, and that’s why I think the Note 9 is a great step up for them.

    The Note 9 offers a lot of intuitive features that make expanding on basic use very easily. Samsung has improved the positioning of the fingerprint scanner for this large phone. This time it sits centrally, below the camera. This should be a much more intuitive fit for your index finger, particularly in a giganto-phone like this.  Making it easier for seniors to unlock their phone when they forgot their passwords.

    I Can See that Screen

    the Note 9 is the megalodon of the Galaxy line-up. And this year it’s bigger than ever, offering a 6.4in screen that pips its predecessor by an all-important 0.1in. Galaxy Note 9’s design is pretty familiar. It has a curved sheet of Gorilla Glass on the front, slightly less curved Gorilla Glass on the back and diamond-cut aluminium around the sides.   This makes it very easy to see, and in the crisp contrast of the dark on light font, smaller words and Icons tend to stand out.The Galaxy Note 9 uses one of Samsung’s ultra-bright, mega-sharp Super AMOLED panels, which lets you choose between reserved, natural colour or tones so bold they barely look real. Really makes the screen pop and extremely easy to see.

    Are you worried it’ll be too big for your pockets? The Note 9 measures 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm, and weighs 201g. That’s only 0.2mm thicker and 1.6mm wider than the smaller Note 8. Should fit great in those front trouser pockets, I know mine does

     

    That S pen

    One thing i’ve noticed with senior smartphone users is they like the stylus option. This is another great reason for the Galaxy Note 9 and the included S pen. The S Pen stylus can still do all of the note-taking, transcribing, and scribbling that you could want across a wide range of apps, but now it has a whole new suite of functions too. This promotes the S Pen to a surprisingly useful tool for an active senior Note 9 user.

     

     

    Where Can I Get The Galaxy Note 9?

    The 128GB Galaxy Note 9 can be purchased through carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Xfinity, along with Best Buy, Costco, Sam’s Club, Straight Talk Wireless, Target, Walmart, Samsung.com and the ShopSamsung app.

  • 7 Natural Remedies for Allergies

    7 Natural Remedies for Allergies

    Do you have Runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy, watery eyes, nose, or throat? Have you been coughing or experiencing postnasal drip, fatigue or even facial pressure or pain? Relax its just allergies.

     

    Allergies are your body’s reaction to allergens (particles your body considers foreign), a sign that your immune system is working overtime. The first time your body encounters an allergen, your plasma cells release IgE (immunoglobulin E), an antibody specific to that allergen. IgE attaches to the surface of your mast cells. Mast cells are found in great numbers in your surface tissues (i.e., those with close proximity to the external environment, such as in your skin and in the mucous membranes of your nose), where they help mediate inflammatory responses.

     

    Sneezing, watery eyes and sinus pressure. None of these symptoms and fun to deal with. And they can really get in the way of your daily life. Many people break down and take prescription or over-the-counter medications just to get some relief. Let’s take a look at  7 Natural Remedies for Allergies to give you some relief this season.

    1.Local, Raw Honey

    If you eat a spoonful of local, raw honey every day, it can help keep your springtime allergies at bay. The honey must come from bees that are in your local region — the closer the better — and it can’t be pasteurized.

     

    2.Nettle

    You can purchase nettle in capsules or drink it as a tea. Since it contains histamine, which is released when you have an allergic reaction, nettle works by helping your body build up a tolerance to histamine. It can also help reduce inflammation. Don’t overuse nettle, though, as it can reduce your potassium levels.

     

    3.Eat an Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline Diet

    First and foremost, start eating an anti-inflammatory diet to reduce your risk for allergies and many other health problems. Caring for your body with nutrient-dense foods gives your immune system the ability to repair itself, bringing it back into balance so it can fight off common allergies in your environment. Foods like, garlic, lemon, green leafy vegetables, and bone broths can greatly reduce inflammation and relive this allergy pressure.

     

    4. Eucalyptus Oils

    This is one of my favorites, not even for allergy relief but general relaxation. You can put several drops of eucalyptus oil into your neti pot, inhale it via a diffuser, or use it in your laundry detergent as an antimicrobial agent. It will break up gunk in your respiratory system and open airways. Plus it smells terrific. If your allergy symptoms are going strong, mix eucalyptus oil with coconut oil and rub it on your chest and behind your ears and diffuse it in the air during the day and while sleeping.

    5. Hit It Over The Counter; Zyrtec VS Flonase

    Just go to the pharmancy and hit it with chemicals. But which one? Zyrtec VS Flonase?  Flonase is an over the counter products that are non-drowsy, anti-inflammatory allergy relief nasal sprays that provide more complete relief than a single-ingredient antihistamine. Flonase will not cause drowsiness, which is nice. Zyrtec works to treat sneezing and runny nose, and causes less sedation that others but will still cause some drowsiness. Zyrtec works well to also treat hives and itchy skin. its and age old debate Zyrtec VS Flonase but both will get the job done.

    6. CBD Balm

    This one has some hesitation to it, it is still cannabis oil but I use this for my sinus headaches. If I wasn’t able to avoid my allergies, CBD Balm for headaches has been soooo helpful. I rub it on my sinuses, temples and neck. If you combo it with Peppermint Halo from Saje, it’s a double whammy!

    7. Shower and Change Your Pillow Case

    I know this seems like an obvious one but it really makes a huge difference. Pollen or whatever allergen you’re allergic to can get stuck to your hair, skin, clothing etc… and then also end up on your pillows and in your bed. Frequent washing when you’ve been outside for a long time can go a long way. Even though I HATE washing my hair, if I’ve spent a couple hours outside I know I have to wash it.

  • Cyber Monday is Over, but You Can Still Save!

    Cyber Monday is Over, but You Can Still Save!

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

    Cyber Week

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

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

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

    Free Shipping

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

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

    Inventory is the Challenge

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

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

  • Get Spinning! The 5 Best Spin Bike Choices for Home

    Get Spinning! The 5 Best Spin Bike Choices for Home

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

    What is a Spin Bike?

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

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

    What to Look for in a Spin Bike?

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

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

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

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

    Technology: Technological innovations can make your biking experience better.

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

    NexHT Fitness Exercise Cycle

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

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

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

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

    Sunny Health & Fitness Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Bike

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

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

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

    Schwinn Fitness AC Performance Plus Indoor Cycling Bike

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

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

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

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

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


  • Project Fi Becomes Google Fi

    Project Fi Becomes Google Fi

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

    google-duplex

    MVNO

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

    Pricing Made Easy

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

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

    Commitment from Google

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

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

    iOS Support

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

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

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

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

  • The 7 Best American-Made Vehicles of 2018

    The 7 Best American-Made Vehicles of 2018

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

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

    Jeep is #1

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

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

    The Surprising Results

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

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

    The Full List

    Without further ado, here is the list of the top seven vehicles that use the most American-made parts and support American factory workers.

    1. Jeep Cherokee (assembled in Belvidere, Ill.)
    2. Honda Odyssey (assembled in Lincoln, Ala.)
    3. Honda Ridgeline (assembled in Lincoln, Ala.)
    4. Ford Taurus (assembled in Chicago, Ill.)
    5. Chevrolet Volt (assembled in Detroit, Mich.)
    6. Honda Pilot (assembled in Lincoln, Ala.)
    7. Acura MDX (assembled in East Libery, Ohio)

    So there you have it. Buying American-made cars no longer means just picking a brand like Ford and Chevy and buying whatever they’re selling. The automotive industry is massive and complex, with parts and pieces travelling across the globe.

    This list can help you guide your decision on how to truly support American-made parts and American factory jobs.

  • Tech Throwback: Google Glass

    Tech Throwback: Google Glass

    I 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. I’m 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’s throwback is a sure fire hit, a true tech game changer… that missed. The Google Glass.

    Google Glass

    Google’s project program for developing a line of hands-free, head-mounted intelligent devices that can be worn by users as “wearable computing” eyewear. The first product release from Project Glass, Google Glass, was available for beta testers (U.S. residents only) to purchase in 2013, for $1,500 plus tax. It was all the rage of the tech world at the time.

    Google Glasses look like a pair of eyeglasses, but the lens of the glasses are an interactive, smartphone-like display, with natural language voice command support as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Google Glass is powered by the Android mobile operating system and compatibility with both Android-powered mobile devices and Apple iOS-powered devices is expected.

     

    The Big Miss

    Google Glass didn’t just trickle out into the world. Instead, it exploded with the kind of fuss and pageantry usually reserved for an Apple iSomething.From its unveiling in 2012, it was considered the Gadget, yearned after by everyone from nerds and chief executives, to chefs and fashionistas. It was the must-have toy that was going to set the gold standard for a new class of wearable computers.Time Magazine named it one of the “Best Inventions of the Year.”

    Google Glass failed to help consumers understand why they needed such a device.Google created the best wearable solution. Aside from early adopters seeking bragging rights, Google’s customers did not respond because they could not quickly understand what problem it solved, or why they needed Google Glass. Steve Jobs said it best, Unless your customer has a mouse problem, they don’t care if you have a better mousetrap.

    Other than tech that has gone by the wayside in the past, there are some more modern tech we can see struggling before our very eyes. Google Glass is one of these technologies. Attempting to manifest the Minority Report lifestyle into real life, this tech has attempted to enable the easy access of features like recording, the internet, email, and other un-necessities.

    The Final Thought

    Earlier this month, the FCC revealed Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 with essentially the same design as its predecessor. The Google Glass is not dead yet, with an Android Oreo update and a new snapdragon processor it is still clinging to life.

  • Seized Facebook Documents Likely to be Made Public Within a Week

    Seized Facebook Documents Likely to be Made Public Within a Week

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

    Seized Facebook Documents Could be Made Public Soon

    zuckerberg-hearing
    Getty Images

    How Were the Documents Acquired?

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

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

    International Hearing, Zuckerberg Absent

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

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

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

    Parliament’s Stance

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

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

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