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  • The New iPhone and What to Expect

    The New iPhone and What to Expect

    As Apple’s September 12th event draws near, more supposed leaks and rumors about the 2018 iPhone lineup make headlines. I’ve been sifting through all the data and I have a good summery of what to expect while we are expecting a new iPhone.

     iPhone Xs , iPhone Xs Plus and iPhone 9

    I’m fairly confident in this, we have seen sufficient enough data to know there will be 3 new versions. A next gen x, and x plus and a cheaper iPhone model that will be a hybrid of the 8 and the x. S is always the naming indicator of the iPhone half step models and I don’t think that will be any different here. Why 9, why not 10? I have found a quick excerpt to explain this..

    In a one on one chat with himself one of my favorite tech gurus’ breaks down the naming convention of the new iPhone.

    Why would you release a 9 after a 10 — or, rather, an X?

    Ah, but you’ll tell me there’ll be three phones. Ergo, one of the smaller, cheaper phones might be iPhone 9.

    Oh, I suppose. But this still sounds like less.

    Let’s assume — oh, come on, it’s all assumption — that Apple will release smaller and bigger versions of the iPhone X, as well as a completely new(ish) phone.

    So, one could be iPhone XS, the other iPhone XL. And the big one could be iPhone XI. Or, of course, iPhone 11.
    Now doesn’t that all have a lovely ring to it?

    Extra small, extra large — but definitely extra — and a, um, revolutionary new one.

    See? Positive thinking.

    Detractors will scold me for my apparent lack of Latin. iPhone XL, they’ll sniff, would be iPhone 40.

    They’ll insist it has to be iPhone X Plus, because that would follow the convention of previous pluses like the iPhone 8 Plus.

    But it’s cumbersome. And why would you want a cumbersome name for your potentially most cumbersome phone?

    It’s so sad and refreshing that this actually makes a lot of sense. I would position that it is more likely that Apple will go with 8C rather than 9. It’s an alliteration on the iPhone not a new model. Just a low end version on an 8 and a X. Then again that does average out to 9. I guess it will have to remain and iPhone day surprise.

    New Colors  for a New iPhone

    The biggest confirmed change is that the new iPhone XS models will come in a new Gold color option, complete with a gold stainless steel band, as shown below. The upcoming Series 4 Apple Watch was leaked as well, showing a matching gold stainless steel frame. Now you can call me crazy but I think the iPhone 8c, I mean 9 will come in an assortment of colors. Red, Blue, ect all in a metallic finish.

    The Other Stuff

    From what I have gathered it would be safe to say we will see a new composite glass introduced from corning. Last year a $200 million investment from the Advanced Manufacturing Fund investment pool, to support a new revolutionary glass production methods. Well that should be maturing and coming to fruition. There should be a new type of glass produced for the new phones. It will still be glass so do get crazy, it will shatter.

    USB- C chargers and a new Qi coil for faster Wireless charging. These are out there and there is no reason for apple to avoid these implementations.

    The Final Thought

    Leaks and well informed rumors are pretty common during this part of apples annual iPhone dance. However much we think we know Apple still finds a way to catch us by surprise and drop something fantastic we didn’t even know about. Guess I’ll see you all next Tuesday..

  • 5 “Smart Home” gadgets every house should have…

    5 “Smart Home” gadgets every house should have…

    It’s 2018 folks, and the future is here. Astronauts are driving Tesla’s through space and the Reese’s company is doing some really innovative stuff with popcorn. With all this technology around us, it’s easy to take it all for granted and we sometimes don’t get all the use we can out of it and take advantage of smart home gadgets.

    And the most important place you can use all this cool tech to your advantage is right in your very own home. Here are some amazing new smart home gadgets to make your life easier…

    1. The iRobot Roomba

    Ever since it’s inception in 2002, the Roomba vacuum has been an integral piece of smart home tech. With the ability to program this round robot to vacuum your home 7 days a week it can be a real time saver. With the latest 980 Model, the Roomba is more advanced that ever. With cutting edge mapping technology and dirt detection programs, this “set it and forget it” vacuum is a must have! For dog or pet owners life myself, I can stress it’s value enough. I have a lot on my plate and one thing I don’t to concern myself with is the daily sweeping thank to “Roger the Roomba”. Yes I named my Roomba, he’s family, folks. Word of advice…there are several competitors is the robot vacuum department, do yourself a favor and stick with the iRobot Roomba. You may a little more, but in this case “you get what you pay for”. This was been probably the best $900.00 I’ve ever spent.

    2. The Nest Thermostat

    Coming in at a price tag of $279.00, the Nest Thermostat is well worth the extra cost. Thanks to it’s smart and adaptive AI, the Nest knows when your home and learns your work schedule to monitor the A/C usage. You can also control the thermostat right form your Nest App on your mobile device to fine tune your A/C needs. For a native Floridan like myself, A/C usage and consumption is a real beast you have to tame. In the summer months, electric bills can soar thanks to primitive thermostats. There is nothing like a thermostat shutting down for the day knowing your at work, and then turn on a half hour before you get home so you don’t walk into a hot and muggy house. It’s just bliss. Once I had installed the Nest, I noticed an immediate 50% drop in my A/C consumption and a large drop in my electric bill respectively. This is a must have in your home.

    3. Brilliant Light Switch

    With the ability to control your homes, light, music, ambiance, and even take pictures with voice commands, the Brilliant light switch is a 2018 must have gadget for your home. Brilliant light switch also connects to several of your home’s smart gadgets such as Nest, Alexa, Sonos Speaker, Ring doorbell system, and more. Starting at $200.00 per panel, Brilliant Switch is a costly addition but this innovative new gadget gives your home a brain.

    4. Amazon Echo and Echo Dot

    This smart home “must” is quickly finding it’s way into every home, world wide. Alexa and Echo Dot, is a voice-controlled system that used to play music, make calls, send and receive messages, read the news, set alarms, and even order and Uber or takeout! With the capability of syncing up to Amazon-Fire, Apple Music, Audible, Pandora, and more, you easily find usage and justification for this piece of smart tech in your home. At a price tag of $150.00, the Amazon Echo has many uses to help in your home and is a fantastic smart home gadget. Word to the wise, Alexa has a built in microphone for consumer purposes that is ALWAYS LISTENING…Use responsibly. 

    5. The Ring II doorbell system

    The Ring Video Doorbell, provides you with the capability to see who is at your door from the safety and comfort of  your bed or couch. It lets you accept or deny visitor calls if you’re not home, and uses motion detection to alert you of activity on your doorstep even when the bell hasn’t been rung. By working off your home’s Wifi and mobile data, the 1080HD  camera will alert your smart phone of any activity at your door step day or night. For an extra $3.00 a month, you can pay for cloud storage and have all moments video recorded for later purposes if desired. The newest model also has a 2 way intercom system, and infrared night vision. For that extra bit of security at a relatively inexpensive cost of $199.00, this doorbell is the must have for any smart home.

    The Conclusion

    With so many smart gadgets available, some better than others, these products can make our homes better, safer, and more convenient. 2018 is going to be a big tech year and the “smart home” business is growing evermore advanced daily. If you can pick-up just one of these items this year, you’ll be headed in the right direction. I’m still anxiously awaiting the release for Rosie the robot maid, but I may have to hold my breath for awhile.


  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

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

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

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

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

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

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

    The iPhone XR

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

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

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

    Pricing

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


  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

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

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

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

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

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

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

    The iPhone XR

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

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

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

    Pricing

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


  • Bloomberg’s iPhone Rumors

    Bloomberg’s iPhone Rumors

    It is getting closer to iPhone day, the most glorious day of the year. My house is decorated with a nerdy apple fan boy glee, the chargers are stocked all through the house and not a device is left unbacked up, not even the magic mouse. All that’s left to is to sift through the mountain of speculation, rumors and trolls to paint the picture of what’s to come on that glorious iPhone day morning. Today notorious troll site Bloomberg has posted their “inside” knowledge and Bloomberg’s iPhone rumors they have uncovered. Let’s take a look and the 5 things they say to expect on iPhone day.

     

    Here’s a rundown of Bloomberg’s iPhone Rumors:

    1.           Three new iPhones. Expect an upgraded iPhone X with a 5.8-inch OLED screen; a new high-end iPhone with a 6.5-inch OLED screen; and a new cheaper model (which will look like the iPhone X) with a 6.1-inch LCD screen. The two larger devices may have dual-SIM card slots in some regions.
    2. Cheap(ish) and colorful. The 6.1-inch iPhone will come in a variety of colors. (Earlier rumors said gray, white, blue, red, d orange variants will be available.) It’ll also have un-colored aluminum edges instead of the color-matching stainless steel casing on the iPhone X.
    3. Gestures for all. All three devices will have the new gesture controls introduced in the iPhone X as well as Apple’s face-unlocking system Face ID. Apple is also expected to take advantage of the 6.5-inch device’s larger screen with the ability to “view content side-by-side” in apps like Mail and Calendar.
    4. Naming confusion. According to Bloomberg’s iPhone Rumors, there’s been quite a bit of internal discussion over the names, as the three devices aren’t easy to differentiate. The new high-end device might be “the iPhone Xs” with the larger device “the iPhone Xs Plus.” That’s subject to change.
    5. Peripherals and more. Sometime this year (not necessarily in September), we can also expect updated AirPods; a new Apple Watch with a larger screen in the same body; a new wireless charger (probably the much-delayed

    The Final Thought

    They hate and play it safe, that is what Bloomberg media does. What’s it worth? Next to nothing. Of the 5 tips they gave only the Color options are interesting. Will apple go back to an iPhone 5c model? I don’t think so, it is more likely Bloomberg is assuming a cheaper iPhone option will mock the last cheaper iPhone option. They are undoubtedly forgetting about the existing cheap iPhone option the iPhone SE. Its clear to see either Bloomberg’s iPhone Rumors are a hit piece or fluff, ill allow you to decide. I guess this is a prime example of the fake news we are hearing about so much these days.  Stay tuned to Goodfind.guru later this week for Beau’s 5 things to expect on iPhone day.

  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

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

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

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

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

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

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

    The iPhone XR

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

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

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

    Pricing

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


  • 5G Iphone, No Not Yet

    5G Iphone, No Not Yet

    We have all read the 5 part dissertation of the 5G network here at Good.find.guru. We know 2018 is going to be the year that 5G networks finally set up and start our next stage in human evolution. 5G smartphones will be expanding rapidly in 2019. WE are all really thinking, that’s great an all but it doesn’t matter till there is a 5G iPhone. Well from what we are hearing today It’s going to take until at least 2020 for Apple to make a 5G iPhone available.

    Apple is never the first to adapt the new networks, but they are the ones that make it the standard. Apple, has never been very interested in putting cutting-edge wireless tech into its phones first, they want to be able to offer 5G when 5G has the network penetration to be completely utilized. The benefits of 5G, like lower latency and gigabit speeds, aren’t particularly useful for smartphones right now, and Apple would rather wait for coverage to be widely adopted and implemented before trying to integrate a new technology. Completely understandable.

    Then we get this bit of news Nokia on Wednesday announced a flat, 3 euro ($3.48) per-device licensing fee for its 5G standards-essential patents. At the same time we are hearing that Ericsson will be charging between $2.50 and $5 based on the cost of a device. Now Qualcomm has said they are licensing its 5G patents at 2.275 percent of a single-mode phone’s total price, and 3.25 percent for multi-mode phones, capping at $400 of course. If you do the math a 5G smartphone could potentially be saddled with over $21 in combined royalty payments. Around $13 will go to Qualcomm regardless of any current spats.

    We have not heard from Intel and Huawei yet either on the rate for the 5G chips. While volume fee arrangements could reduce the price the other companies are going to try to push the price up. We do not specifically known what Apple pays per iPhone for 4G technologies. The licensing isn’t as simple as what has been worked out for 5G technologies. The cost is thought to be much higher than the approximate $21 expected for 5G.

    Apple and Qualcomm Delay in the 5G iPhone

    Apple and Qualcomm have been legally battling this issue since 2016. Even then Apple complained that Qualcomm’s practice of charging royalties on a phone’s entire cost was excessive. They say they should be disallowed since many of the patents involved are part of industry standards. Qualcomm in turn shut off a flow of payments. Apple described them as partial rebates on the royalties. This lead Apple to sue Qualcomm and stop paying royalties. In Turn Apple has designing its 2018 mobile devices to work without any Qualcomm chips.  This year’s iPhones are set to use Intel modems exclusively. They are nearly certainly going to skip 5G this time around, since the standard was only finalized in June, and U.S. carriers are only just beginning to deploy coverage.

    The Final Thought

    These licensing fees will have to be paid no matter who provides the actual 5G modem in Apple’s future smartphone. They aren’t related to hardware, but cover the cost of using patents on the 5G standard itself. So for Now we will just bite our tongues and wait for the 5G iPhone. Between you and me ill pay and extra $21 for the 5G.

  • iPhone 9 Rumor Roundup

    iPhone 9 Rumor Roundup

    If you’re like us, you’re interested in hearing what Apple has planned for the next wave of iPhone releases. Rumors are swirling that we can expect to see a less-expensive full-screen iPhone this year, likely even next month. The projected phone is rumored to be called the iPhone 9, putting it as the step between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X, both of which launched last year.

    iPhone 9 Rumor Roundup

    What to Expect

    Rumor has it that the iPhone 9 will launch in September, likely alongside an update to the iPhone X. The iPhone X successor, likely to be called the iPhone 11 or iPhone XI, will likely be much more expensive and sport an OLED screen. The 9, by contrast, is likely to be much more affordable and sport an LED screen. This means that the image quality of the 9 will be inferior, but it will allow for its lower price tag.

    Name Rumors

    It is also likely that the iPhone line will adopt a similar naming convention as the Mac and iPad lines. Currently, neither Mac nor iPad sport any model numbers; instead, they are identified by the year they released. This could happen with the iPhone, with the smaller, non-OLED line becoming simple “new iPhone,” while the larger, OLED line keeps the X after its name. So, you would say something like “I have the new 2018 iPhone,” or “I have an iPhone X from 2018.” This is much cleaner than the current mess of numbers, thanks in large part to Apple skipping 9 when they released the 8 and X last year.

    Price Rumors

    Rumor also hold that the iPhone 9, or whatever it ends up being called, will cost somewhere between $600-$700. That makes it rather affordable for an iPhone, but means it’s still somewhat pricey. However, it makes sense that a mainline Apple phone would be expensive, even if it is the “affordable” option. iPhones have become a symbol of status and a statement of style, and they seem to sell at any price point.

    When to Expect It

    If previous trends hold true, we can expect to see this year’s iPhones around September. This is roughly the time of year Apple launches new devices every year, so we can expect that to stay true. Expect to hear more news in the coming weeks as Apple gears up for the release push. If the iPhone X is any indication, Apple is looking to keep redefining the smartphone industry. They launched the whole thing back in 2007, after all, so it only makes sense that they would keep pushing the envelope.

  • 5 “Smart Home” gadgets every house should have…

    5 “Smart Home” gadgets every house should have…

    It’s 2018 folks, and the future is here. Astronauts are driving Tesla’s through space and the Reese’s company is doing some really innovative stuff with popcorn. With all this technology around us, it’s easy to take it all for granted and we sometimes don’t get all the use we can out of it and take advantage of smart home gadgets.

    And the most important place you can use all this cool tech to your advantage is right in your very own home. Here are some amazing new smart home gadgets to make your life easier…

    1. The iRobot Roomba

    Ever since it’s inception in 2002, the Roomba vacuum has been an integral piece of smart home tech. With the ability to program this round robot to vacuum your home 7 days a week it can be a real time saver. With the latest 980 Model, the Roomba is more advanced that ever. With cutting edge mapping technology and dirt detection programs, this “set it and forget it” vacuum is a must have! For dog or pet owners life myself, I can stress it’s value enough. I have a lot on my plate and one thing I don’t to concern myself with is the daily sweeping thank to “Roger the Roomba”. Yes I named my Roomba, he’s family, folks. Word of advice…there are several competitors is the robot vacuum department, do yourself a favor and stick with the iRobot Roomba. You may a little more, but in this case “you get what you pay for”. This was been probably the best $900.00 I’ve ever spent.

    2. The Nest Thermostat

    Coming in at a price tag of $279.00, the Nest Thermostat is well worth the extra cost. Thanks to it’s smart and adaptive AI, the Nest knows when your home and learns your work schedule to monitor the A/C usage. You can also control the thermostat right form your Nest App on your mobile device to fine tune your A/C needs. For a native Floridan like myself, A/C usage and consumption is a real beast you have to tame. In the summer months, electric bills can soar thanks to primitive thermostats. There is nothing like a thermostat shutting down for the day knowing your at work, and then turn on a half hour before you get home so you don’t walk into a hot and muggy house. It’s just bliss. Once I had installed the Nest, I noticed an immediate 50% drop in my A/C consumption and a large drop in my electric bill respectively. This is a must have in your home.

    3. Brilliant Light Switch

    With the ability to control your homes, light, music, ambiance, and even take pictures with voice commands, the Brilliant light switch is a 2018 must have gadget for your home. Brilliant light switch also connects to several of your home’s smart gadgets such as Nest, Alexa, Sonos Speaker, Ring doorbell system, and more. Starting at $200.00 per panel, Brilliant Switch is a costly addition but this innovative new gadget gives your home a brain.

    4. Amazon Echo and Echo Dot

    This smart home “must” is quickly finding it’s way into every home, world wide. Alexa and Echo Dot, is a voice-controlled system that used to play music, make calls, send and receive messages, read the news, set alarms, and even order and Uber or takeout! With the capability of syncing up to Amazon-Fire, Apple Music, Audible, Pandora, and more, you easily find usage and justification for this piece of smart tech in your home. At a price tag of $150.00, the Amazon Echo has many uses to help in your home and is a fantastic smart home gadget. Word to the wise, Alexa has a built in microphone for consumer purposes that is ALWAYS LISTENING…Use responsibly. 

    5. The Ring II doorbell system

    The Ring Video Doorbell, provides you with the capability to see who is at your door from the safety and comfort of  your bed or couch. It lets you accept or deny visitor calls if you’re not home, and uses motion detection to alert you of activity on your doorstep even when the bell hasn’t been rung. By working off your home’s Wifi and mobile data, the 1080HD  camera will alert your smart phone of any activity at your door step day or night. For an extra $3.00 a month, you can pay for cloud storage and have all moments video recorded for later purposes if desired. The newest model also has a 2 way intercom system, and infrared night vision. For that extra bit of security at a relatively inexpensive cost of $199.00, this doorbell is the must have for any smart home.

    The Conclusion

    With so many smart gadgets available, some better than others, these products can make our homes better, safer, and more convenient. 2018 is going to be a big tech year and the “smart home” business is growing evermore advanced daily. If you can pick-up just one of these items this year, you’ll be headed in the right direction. I’m still anxiously awaiting the release for Rosie the robot maid, but I may have to hold my breath for awhile.


  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

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

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

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

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

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

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

    The iPhone XR

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

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

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

    Pricing

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