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  • 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.


  • Apple’s iPhone X 6.1 Leak

    Apple’s iPhone X 6.1 Leak

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

    Coming September Probably

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

     

    What We Know About the iPhone X 6.1

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

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

     

    What We Want

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

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

     

     

    The Final Thought

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

     

  • Rumor Mill: What’s in Store for 2018 iPhones?

    Rumor Mill: What’s in Store for 2018 iPhones?

    It might feel like it wasn’t all that long ago that the iPhone 8 and iPhone X released. However, the rumor mill is in full swing as we approach the release of the 2018 iPhones. While Apple has been quiet with any hard details regarding the new phones, rumors abound. Today, we’re looking at the most likely rumors regarding 2018’s iPhone line up.

    iPhone X Plus

    A very likely model for this year would be a plus version of the iPhone X. Apple has often prioritized versions of their phones with huge screens for those who prefer a bigger handset. This purported phone would be similar to the current iPhone X in that it would sport an OLED display and be priced similarly. While no specifications have been given by Apple, these rumors seem likely given the company’s history.

    iPhone X2? Or iPhone 11?

    The new mainline iPhone hasn’t been named yet, but speculation abounds. Last year’s phone is phonetically referred to as the iPhone Ten, but some call it the iPhone “Ecks,” like the letter. However, some speculate that the next phone might be called the X2, or the “Ecks Two.” XS is another possible name, reverting to the S line of iPhones that follow big releases. iPhone 11 seems to be a likely candidate, as well.

    Rumors also maintain that the next mainline iPhone could have three rear-facing cameras. Such a setup could include a better zoom function and improved portrait mode. Such a set-up would benefit AR mapping greatly, which has been a big push for Apple lately.

    This entry would also sport an OLED screen, the gorgeous, bright display that the current iPhone X possesses.

    2018 iPhones Could Include LCD-Display Budget Option

    Apple has had no problem selling iPhones since the launch of the X. However, they could always sell more by appealing to lower budgets. To that end, the company may be pursuing a more affordable phone with an iPhone X design but an LCD screen. Such a phone would likely be more affordable and attract a wider audience. The iPhone X’s face-unlocking technology and lack of a home button are both unique hallmarks and would likely appeal to many if more affordable.

    However, none of these reports have been substantiated by Apple themselves. While we can expect to hear some news from them soon, the new phones will likely be out in September. That leaves barely a month and a half for news to come from Apple about the new phones. In either event, we’ll know more soon, whether through a press event or a high-profile leak.

  • Apple’s 2018 MacBook Pro Brings Much Needed Facelift

    Apple’s 2018 MacBook Pro Brings Much Needed Facelift

    The MacBook Pro line has been in serious need of some love. They’ve been struggling to make a name for themselves in the increasingly-crowded mobile device space. Between the Surface line from Microsoft, smartphone competition and increasingly affordable Windows laptops, MacBook has been in trouble. Thankfully, the 2018 MacBook Pro is the update the line sorely needed.

    2018 MacBook Pro: What’s New?

    There are a few new things going on with this year’s MacBook. The first, and most notable, of course, is the updated keyboard. The previous butterfly keyboard, with its “chiclet” style, had few fans. It got stuck often, was noisy and generally hard to type on. This redesigned keyboard, by contrast, is quiet, responsive and much more durable. You’ll likely find it a market improvement over the previous keyboard.

    The computer has received an under-the-hood overhaul, too. The 13-inch laptop comes with either an i5 or i7 processor, both of which are quad-core. The 15-inch option has either an i7 or i9 processor running the show, both with six cores. The 13-inch version has 2 TB of internal storage, while the 15-inch has 4 TB. That’s all pretty encouraging, to be sure!

    The 15-inch sports impressive graphics thanks to the AMD Radeon Pro GPU, while the 13-inch has integrated Iris Plus 655 graphics. While the 13-inch will put out a decent image, those with serious design tasks on their plates should opt for the 15-inch.

    A few other minor touches: the new laptops have the iPhone X’s True Tone technology. That means the screens will adapt to ambient light and match the lighting around you. The Touchbar (now standard on both 13- and 15-inch models) has True Tone as well. Neat!

    Oh, and the laptops now support “Hey, Siri!” Alright, that’s pretty cool, if a bit frivolous.

    Pricing and Release

    The pricing on these laptops remains unchanged from last year, which is stellar. The 13-inch model is still $1,300 and the 15-inch runs $2,400. Now, those numbers aren’t low, but the MacBook Pro isn’t a budget machine. Both models are out now.

  • Apple Music Now Beating Spotify in the US

    Apple Music Now Beating Spotify in the US

    While Spotify might still have a few million more users than Apple Music worldwide, Apple has taken the lead in the US. This comes after Apple was a bit late to the streaming scene, as Spotify had a few years of head start. How did Apple manage to overtake the biggest music streaming service in the world?

    Big-Name Collaborations

    Names like Drake, Frank Ocean and Taylor Swift command a bit of attention. Apple wisely has signed deals with these artists to stream their albums on Apple Music first. In fact, hip-hop and R&B artists see much more success on Apple Music than on Spotify. Drake, for instance, topped the music-streaming charts when Scorpion launched this Summer. J. Cole’s album, K.O.D., saw nearly double the streams on Apple Music than on Spotify. That’s a big deal, as hip-hop and R&B make up nearly a third of all music streaming.

    Beyond just the exclusivity, a number of artists have their own radio shows on Apple’s Beats One radio station. That station, you could guess, is available only through an Apple Music subscription. Drake, Deadmau5, Billie Eilish and more artists have their own shows, and their legions of fans follow them to the service. When you’ve got a following as big as Drake, your name alone can carry a service.

    Beats One

    Speaking of Beats One, it’s the crown jewel of Apple Music and the key to its success. DJs like Zane Lower and Ebro Darden bring a human touch to the proceedings. That same human touch is notably missing from the algorithm-driven Spotify radio service. The interviews, exclusive content and world-first premiers on the service are all quite compelling for diehard music lovers. While more casual listeners may be content with Spotify, those who want more human content are attracted to Beats One.

    Apple Music Has the Install Base

    Another big plus for Apple’s service is the install base of Apple devices. Many people already have iPhones, Macs and the like, and as such they are more likely to try Apple Music. Siri commands can pull up Beats One and the service has iTunes integration. What’s more, Apple CarPlay is the perfect ecosystem for Beats One Radio to shine.

    While Spotify is still leading by a wide margin in the global market, Apple has secured the American listeners. Time will tell whether Apple manages to pull in the foreign demographics, or if they keep their focus here at home.

  • Laptop Look Out: Macbook Pro Updates

    Laptop Look Out: Macbook Pro Updates

    Today Apple has updated its 13-inch and 15-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pros today with Intel’s latest eighth-generation chips. In addition to the processor up grades they are also offering up to 32GB of RAM and 4TB of SSD storage. Boom, hair officially blown back. Wait, just how much are these gonna cost me? With the standard models of Apple’s laptops will cost about the same (starting at $1,799 for the 13-inch model or $2,399 for the 15-inch model). The updated MacBook Pro, brace your self, can set you back a massive soul crushing $6700 big ones.

    Is it Worth it?

    Considering the $7000 Mac Pro I purchased earlier this year with 2.7GHz 12-core processor, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The new MacBooks only have half that power for the same price. Is it still a lot to pay for a computer? Most Definitely. But it’s worth remembering that the extra price is for optional hardware, so it’s ultimately up to you to decide whether or not to pay the cost. For comparison sake, the top  $2599 Alienware’s 15 inch laptop with 8th gen I9 and 16gb of RAM is a viable option at a fraction of the cost.

    What Else is New for The 2018 Macbook Pro

    Thanks to a T2 chip, which showed up previously in the iMac Pro, you can now summon Siri by simply shouting at your machine. Previous MacBook Pros required you to click a button, but now Siri is hands-free. The display isn’t getting any kind of resolution bump (or a touchscreen), but it does now have Apple’s alternating display temperature function, called True Tone, which means additional sensors have been built into the laptop. It has the same Touch Bar and Touch ID capabilities as previous models.

    The Final Thought

    Apple will sell Macbook Pros. The focus on the high end Macbook Pro are the design professionals and rich kids with their parents credit cards. Its nice to have those options and specs but no real commercial need for a few more years. Other wise very solid Macbook Updates and will keep them in the front of the best laptop line for a while.

  • Former Apple Employee Stole Trade Secrets Related to Self-Driving Cars

    Former Apple Employee Stole Trade Secrets Related to Self-Driving Cars

    Corporate espionage is nothing new, but the amount of it generated by self-driving cars is drastic. Just a few weeks ago, Tesla sued an employee for disclosing trade secrets to unknown parties. Now, federal agents have charge Xiaolang Zhang, a former Apple employee, with stealing trade secrets from Apple. Zhang is accused of stealing technical documents and hardware from Apple.

    Zhang’s Attempted Flight

    Zhang had been working for Apple since 2015, specializing in self-driving cars. His specialty was circuit boards that analyzed sensor data, according to the FBI. However, in April, Zhang told his department head that he was quitting to move to China to be close to his mother. The supervisor found Zhang’s explanation flimsy, and his demeanor suspicious. As such, an investigation was launched: Zhang’s recent download of tons of confidential technical documents came to light. Zhang had stored the technical documents on his wife’s laptop, and then stole a few circuit boards and a server from Apple.

    Federal authorities apprehended Zhang at the San Jose airport on June 7th. He had just purchased a ticket to China. His federal charges mean he can’t leave the country, thus stopping his attempted espionage in its tracks. It’s quite likely that this information breach would have led to a significant breakthrough for a Chinese company if Zhang’s flight had been successful.

    Why Is There So Much Espionage Around Self-Driving Cars?

    While self-driving cars haven’t make too big of a splash at mass-market yet, they’re set to do so in the very near future. In the next few years, we’ll likely see more advanced self-driving technology become widely available. However, the technology is complex and difficult to program and implement. As such, any company that manages to be first to market with it will reap tremendous benefits.

    Less scrupulous companies seem convinced that their best way to do this will be to steal trade secrets and rush a project to completion. Thankfully, in this instance, the espionage was stopped before the damage was done. It is currently unclear what company Zhang was stealing the information for.

  • Retrospective Round-up: The App Store

    Retrospective Round-up: The App Store

    The App Store is ten years old. It’s hard to believe that the iPhone launched in 2007 without it, to be honest. When you think of the start of the smartphone revolution, you think of apps. “There’s an app for that” was such a ubiquitous slogan that you heard it everywhere in those days. When it launched in 2008, the App Store redefined what, exactly, a smartphone could do. With that said, let’s take a look back in time and round up the ways the App Store shaped the modern smartphone market.

    Attack of the Clones

    The first and most obvious impact of the fantastically popular App Store is the legion of clones it inspired. Of them, the Google Play Store is the most notable and the only other successful platform from the era. Truth be told, the success of the iPhone can be largely attributed to support from app developers. Blackberry’s decline can be certainly chalked up to the lack of support from those same developers.

    Gaming

    The App Store reshaped handheld gaming. Where Nintendo and Sony were battling with their traditional handheld gaming consoles, Apple did something unthinkable. Something that Nokia had tried a few years prior with the N-Gage. They made smartphones gaming devices. Nintendo hasn’t been muscled out of the gaming space, but they also couldn’t exactly push Apple out either. It’s impossible to fight just how big of an install base that smartphones have as a gaming platform. Nearly every adult has a smartphone; the same can’t be said of Nintendo’s 3DS.

    The impact of the app store on gaming is nearly immeasurable: the early 2010s were marked by a flood of “freemium” games. Games that would have previously found no audience could now reach a large demographic. Since they were free to start, these games could get into your device, and your head, easily. Then, once you were invested, you would spend a few bucks here and there on power-ups. This business model proved insanely lucrative and persists to this day. Thankfully, traditional game design is still alive and well in the core market.

    Phones Became Omnitools

    Before the App Store, phones were phones. After its launch, phones were damn near everything. Some apps make your phone a GPS, while others make it a video streaming device. Other apps might make your phone a banking portal, while others make it a music playback device. Nearly any functionality you could imagine was suddenly rolled into your phone. And all of that is thanks to this one software platform. It’s been a long decade, and a lot has changed. But here’s to the next ten years, and the changes they bring.

  • Apple Goes Live With USB-Restricted Mode

    Apple Goes Live With USB-Restricted Mode

    The newest iOS 11 update carries a rather important feature with it. Namely, iOS 11.4.1 comes with USB-Restricted Mode. And, frankly, that’s a big deal. This functionality was expected to ship with iOS 12 this fall, coinciding with the release of this year’s new phones. However, it’s a pretty big move, and it’s critical for iPhone user security. You see, one of the most common ways to break into an iPhone is through USB-based hacking tools like GreyKey. These brute-force tools just attempt thousands and thousands of passcode combinations, eventually just forcing their way in with sheer probability. How has Apple worked to counteract this?

    USB-Restricted Mode

    The iOS 11.4.1 update brought a new toggle to your settings: “USB Accessories.” This setting is off, by default, so you don’t have to worry about going in and doing it manually. What the setting does, however, is make the phone unable to be interfaced with by USB accessories if it has been locked for more than an hour. That’s pretty huge: GreyKey and similar illegal hacking hardware has to interface with the iPhone through the Lightning port. Disabling them directly is the bluntest answer Apple could have come up with, but it works perfectly.

    If a criminal steals your phone, it’s likely that you had it locked for a bit before it was stolen. Further, they will then have to exit the public area, go back to a safehouse and attempt to crack the phone’s security from there. This will likely push them past the hour deadline to try to crack the phone, thus making it a pointless endeavor to steal iPhones. Similarly, law enforcement will often take longer than an hour to process a detained person. This means that unlawful access to your phone will likely be impossible. Police will have to get a search warrant, thus cutting down on overreaching violations of citizens’ rights.

    Apple’s Role in Security

    Apple is a leader in electronic security. Their constant innovations in this field are an industry standard and are to be commended. Apple’s move with this newest feature is further evidence of their dedication to protecting the data of their users. Looks like those looking to unlawfully access your information will have to find some new way to break in.

  • iPhone Feature Roundup: How do They Compare?

    iPhone Feature Roundup: How do They Compare?

    A lot of people took notice when the iPhone X was announced to retail for $1,000. As the first mass-market smartphone to break the $1,000 price tag, it must be something special, right? Apple seemed to be hedging their bets slightly, and also released the iPhone 8, an $800 option that more closely resembles previous iterations of the iPhone. In order to help you with figuring out which one is right for you, we’ve got an iPhone feature roundup to break down the difference between the two flavors of iPhone.

    Price

    The first one is the most obvious, and we’ve already been over it, but it bears repeating. The iPhone X is truly the best smartphone in the world, and its price reflects that. $1,000 is a lot of money to pay for a phone, but that buys you a ton of features. The iPhone 8 is no slouch, either, to be fair, and costs a respectable $800. Both phones are on the premium side, so the question becomes: what does $200 buy you?

    Face ID vs Fingerprint Scanner

    Face ID is convenient, fast and secure. Apple was the first to market with very secure, very accurate facial recognition software. The depth-sensing front cameras in the iPhone X’s much-maligned notch can read your face in the blink of an eye. The iPhone 8, on the other hand, sports the same fingerprint scanner iPhones have been using for years. It’s secure, it’s fast and it’s pretty much the same as you’d expect. It works fine in most circumstances, but if you’re wearing gloves or if your hands are wet, it’s a no-go.

    Face ID isn’t the only use of those front cameras, though: the animated “Animoji” technology is exclusive to iPhone X. It’s silly, it’s cute and you absolutely want it. Is it worth $200? Your call.

    OLED Screen, Bezels

    The iPhone X has a huge, bright and gorgeous OLED display that looks sharp even in direct sunlight. It’s hard to describe, but it simply has an alluring glow to it that dazzles the eye. If that sounds overly romantic, you probably haven’t seen one in person. The iPhone 8, on the other hand, sports a Retina display that looks fine, if somewhat tame compared to the iPhone X.

    Interestingly, the iPhone 8 Plus is bigger than the iPhone X by a good bit, yet the iPhone X still sports a bigger screen, thanks to its nearly bezel-free design. Almost the entire front face of the phone is screen, with the exception of the notch.

    Home Button

    A huge change in the iPhone X is the lack of a home button. If you’re a home button faithful, you want an iPhone 8, period. It’s a pretty big change, and if you’ve been using iPhones since 2007, it will certainly take some getting used to. That said, the gesture controls are intuitive, fast and slick, and you will get used to them.

    iPhone Feature Bottom Line

    One way to look at the iPhone X is as a proof-of-concept for the way future iPhones will work. So, by getting an iPhone 8, you’ll have a nostalgic, old-school style iPhone experience. However, you’re likely only delaying the inevitable. That $200 upcharge can be viewed as the price of entry to a new era of iPhone. If you’re the kind of person that gets excited by bleeding edge tech, you want an iPhone X. If you want the same experience you’ve grown accustomed to, the 8 is more your speed.