Home

Category: Electronics

  • FaceBook Portal and The New Video Calling

    FaceBook Portal and The New Video Calling

    Facebook has something it wants in every home to be always on, always watching always listening. Its called FaceBook Portal. The FaceBook Portal devices are video-calling machines that people can use to talk through a screen to other Facebook users. They have a 12-megapixel camera with high-definition video and artificial intelligence software; the camera follows people about as they move around. It’s a 10 inch screen that lets you make video calls to other Facebook users while being able to move and talk freely with a smart camera and smart sound.

    Smart Camera

    What do they mean by smart camera? This is automatic framing, which Facebook calls “Smart Camera,” makes every video call more comfortable to participate in. The 12-megapixel camera can do 5x zoom and capture movement within a 140-degree range. The four-mic array flanks the lens on either side, doing double duty of listening to commands and noise canceling during chats. I don’t have a great reason why but its placement reminds me of the eye above the pyramid on the back of a dollar bill.

    The Facebook Portal is Alexa enabled. To trigger the function, say “Hey Portal” and then “call [enter name here].” Simple enough. Though the actual “Hey Portal” features are essentially limited to things like making calls and putting the unit to sleep.

    The FaceBook Portal Setup and Use

    Setting up my Portal Plus was easy. Popped the thing out of the box, plopped it on my desk, plugged it in, connected to Wi-Fi and my Facebook account. I was frankly blown away by how well-designed Portal was. It has one purpose — calling other people who use Facebook. Surprisingly it does that extremely well. But Who still uses Facebook?

    The great thing about these devices is that they are stationary and always on. It uses software to follow you around a room, always keeping the speaker in frame and cropped. I found this very useful. I expected it to be chintzy because it’s the company’s first piece of hardware. But shockingly, it wasn’t. The screen is huge on my Portal Plus. Imagine putting an iPad Pro on a tall vertical sound bar and adding an always-on camera in my home, connected to Facebook, all the time, 24 hours a day. I know Facebook has been working to improve how users can manage their private data on the platform. But Still.

    The Final Thought

    They took all the pieces that are available, condensed them and perfected the Video Calling. If Facebook was more trustworthy in the public’s eyes and Video calling wasn’t such an invasion of privacy to begin with , There could be one in every home. There won’t be.

  • Houston, We have Verizon 5G!

    Houston, We have Verizon 5G!

    We have liftoff! Big news and advancement in the Verizon 5G world. Verizon, Motorola, Qualcomm and Samsung announced that they’ve achieved the world’s first 5G data transmission to a smartphone using a “commercial 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) network.” Verizon kicked in the spectrum and network, Samsung made the radio, Motorola obviously built the phone and it’s Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X50 5G modem inside that little backpack. A video Call was placed, history is made and the future is upon us.

    Currently, Verizon’s 5G service is available only in a few cities. Pushing broadband for home internet but many providers are racing to launch services. AT&T has said its 5G network will be ready to go live this month, while Sprint and LG have said they’ll try to be first to launch a phone next year. While Intel gets its 5G modem technology together Qualcomm has a head start there. They have said it expects a couple waves of flagship phones launching in 2019.

    Verizon 5G Status

    The trial, which took place in Providence, Rhode Island, used a Motorola Moto Z3 with a 5G moto mod — which Verizon called “the world’s first 5G-upgradeable smartphone. Verizon in October then announced that the fifth US city to receive its 5G network will be Panama City, Florida, as the carrier aims to “stabilize and strengthen” its wireless network across the hurricane-impacted Panhandle and throughout the Bay and Gulf counties. If you have to rebuild, rebuild in 5g.

    “As the community rebuilds, Verizon will be … committing $25 million to build the most technologically advanced wireless network in the area. We will include 5G technology as part of that infrastructure,” According to Verizon technology leader Kyle Malady last month.

    The Final Though

    Im so happy and excited also a little bit scared. Like 98% excited and 2% scared. This is momentous. We have real 5G, the world is changing before our very eyes. If you have been working on it, Now is the time to launch your holographic call platform.

  • Top 5 Video Chat Services

    Top 5 Video Chat Services

    For years we were promised video chat in every movie and tv show that took place in the future. The Jetsons did it, Back to the Future did it. I grew up assuming it was weeks away from reality my whole life. Then one glorious day in 2010, Steve Jobs said the word Facetime and video chat was a everyday reality.

    Video chat is the best way to connect and call your friends, family and loved ones. Allowing you to instantly share special moments in real time. Since 2010 the market flooded with video chat options. With so many options which is the best? Ill figure this out, so you can tell which setup is right for you. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and TVs, there are plenty of ways to get you up and running, and here are five of the best.

    FaceTime

    Apples proprietary video telephony system. FaceTime is available on supported iOS mobile devices and Macintosh computers. FaceTime supports any iOS device with a forward-facing camera and any Macintosh computer equipped with a FaceTime Camera. Apple bought the “FaceTime” name from FaceTime Communications. CEO Steve Jobs announced FaceTime on June 7, 2010 in conjunction with the iPhone 4 in a keynote speech at the 2010 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. Support for the fourth generation iPod Touch (the first model of iPod Touch equipped with cameras) was announced in conjunction with the device’s release on September 8, 2010. Just like that everyone had video chat in a matter of days.

    if you have an iPad then the FaceTime app will already be installed ready for you to start using. From within there you can find contacts that are also using Apple hardware, and then it’s a simple as tapping the video icon and the app will make a call to them. It is the standard for video chat apps, The app that all other video chat apps are judged and found wanting.

    WhatsApp

    A far underestimated and often overlooked, WhatsApp is a real player in the video chat game. It is the default backup to facetime for global use. WhatsApp Messenger is a freeware and cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook. The Nice thing about Whatsapp is it is universal, and will work on almost any device anywhere in the world.

    Google Hangouts

    Yes, of course Google has its own option too – and it is called Hangouts. This allows for calls and video chat from within a browser on your laptop or PC, so anyone else with Hangouts on a computer, phone or tablet can be contacted. Hangouts lets you have multiple callers in one video chat too, intelligently spotting who’s talking and making that video the main one on screen. The app also allows for messaging so you can share photos but also allows for screen sharing. Lot of great features with Hangouts you don’t get in other apps.

    Skype

    Skype is a web-based communications tool that offers video chat, international calls, and texting via the web. This is very popular for its free video chat and communications capabilities, which are very basic at best. As a business communications tool, Skype is branded as the best and most inexpensive solutions provider for VoIP services. For those who want to fully maximize its potential and use it to improve productivity and drive revenue up, there is an enterprise pricing package for business communication that costs only $2 per user per month. With one simple platform, Skype for Business offers features like, Online meetings for up to 250 people and Secure communication lines via strong authentication and encryption.

    Facebook Portal and Video Chat

    Something new you probably didn’t know about. Facebook is launching its own device for video chat. Portal is aimed at connecting you to family and friends through video chat. The idea is that, instead of holding your phone up to your face for a jerky visual conversation with grandma and grandpa, you get a beautiful mini-TV, with a 10-inch screen.

    While not just a video chat service, Facebook’s Portal smart screen does more than just make calls. You can use it to watch videos, play games and find out the local weather, or help you tell children’s stories. Think an Alexa tablet powered and connected by Facebook.

    Pied Piper PiperChat

    A revolutionary middle-out compression was the missing piece in the video chat software world. PiperChat is similar to Google Hangout, FaceTime, and Skype. It is a video chat app that uses Pied Piper’s compression software. Piperchat is the most comprehensive and best video chatting application ever to be seen, using the same middle out compression algorithm as pied piper inc, piper chat can stream flawless 1080p video calling with only just a mere 3g signal.

  • Should You Buy an LG V40?

    Should You Buy an LG V40?

    The newest phone from LG, the LG V40, is here and making waves. Is it worthy of all the hype surrounding it? Or is it a lame entry into the packed Android market? Today we’re going to take an in-depth look at this new smartphone and tell you whether it’s worth your hard-earned money.

    LG V40 Review

    Design

    First things first: this is a smart-looking phone. All-glass designs are a favorite of ours, and this phone feels great in the hand. In fact, it’s probably one of the best-feeling LG phones we’ve seen. The screen is huge and vibrant, and, unlike other premium phones, the LG V40 still has a traditional headphone jack.

    The V40 also sports the industry-standard water resistance and wireless charging capabilities. While these features are unsurprising, they remain as convenient as ever. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your smartphone you’re going to be impressed by these quality-of-life upgrades.

    Cameras

    The five (yes, five) cameras are the star of the show here. While the Pixel 3 and iPhone XS are impressive for snapshots, the LG V40 is a real photographer’s smartphone. The wide-angle lens is unparalleled for sprawling vista shots. The lighting and colors in bright shots are absolutely stellar. There are low-light options, great portrait settings and more. If you love snapping photos and like a ton of options, this is the phone for you.

    Pricing

    The V40 runs between $900 and $980 in the US, depending on where you go to get it and which carrier you choose. That makes it comparable in price to most premium smartphones like the Galaxy Note 9 and iPhone XS. It is a tad bit less expensive than those phones, but not by much. While it might cost a bit less, you don’t sacrifice on power or speed.

    Bottom Line

    If you’re an Android fan who wants a great phone for taking pictures then you’re going to love the V40. However, casual shutterbugs might find the multitude of settings a bit overwhelming. Compared to the Note 9 and Pixel 3, this is a solid phone. You won’t be disappointed in this phone for the price, and we can fully recommend it (especially for photographers).

  • Cyber Monday 2018: Are You Missing Out on the Best Savings?

    Cyber Monday 2018: Are You Missing Out on the Best Savings?

    Cyber Monday isn’t just for Black Friday leftovers. Every year, Black Friday gets a ton of attention for being the best time to save on holiday shopping. However, some of the best deals you can find come courtesy of Cyber Monday! The Monday after Black Friday is a fantastic day of online deals and it can be so easy to forget the online phenomenon.

    The deals don’t just suddenly end with the passing of Black Friday, and your excitement about them doesn’t have to either. Cyber Monday is filled with great savings and sales, without the lines and occasional negativity that come with Black Friday. If you’re looking to do all of your shopping online rather than in stores this year, make sure to bookmark the latest offers all week. We will be scouring the depths of the web to bring you the best of Cyber Monday

    Cyber Monday 2018

    This year, Cyber Monday is November 26th. Most online retailers offer their best deals from Monday through Friday, though not everyone does this. Keep your eyes peeled for great deals! For what it’s worth, many retailers have largely begun to conflate Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals as online retail has become more lucrative.

    Cyber Monday has historically been a single day of online deals, but since online shopping has become so huge in recent years, this shopping holiday has become more of a shopping holi-week. You can expect to see many of the same deals on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday that you will see on Monday.

    Some advertisers have started referring to this phenomenon as Cyber Week, but not everyone has adopted this new model for the holiday season. Here are some examples of deals you might see on Cyber Monday from top retailers!

    Amazon

    Best For: Gaming and toys, smart home, and almost anything else you can buy online.

    While plenty of other retailers offer Cyber Monday sales, none of them match Amazon’s. Last year, we saw three times as many Cyber Monday deals at Amazon as the next highest retailer

    Amazon also has a large number of Black Friday deals on their Fire tablets, Fire TV Stick and Echo devices, among other things. Expect these huge discounts to continue during Cyber Monday and Cyber Week. There will likely also be Lightning Deals all throughout the week that you can save a ton on, so stay posted!

    Walmart

    Best For: Parents (and kids, too) and homeowners.

    Like Walmart’s sprawling stores, you’ll find sales on just about every product category on Cyber Monday. There were also steals on more practical purchases for parents, including car seats and children’s bedroom sets, as well as household necessities.

    Walmart will be offering sales on a number of things to compete with Amazon’s line. Items like Google Home, 4K TVs and the like will all be discounted through their website. Also, expect to see discounts on home appliances like microwaves, toasters and the like. This is a great opportunity for buying gifts for new homeowners, or just updating your own home!

    Target

    Best For: The hottest Cyber Monday TV sales.

    Two-thirds of Target’s Cyber Monday sales last year were the best bargains on televisions anywhere. Last year’s sales saw fantastic prices on sets ranging from 40″ to 80″, but the best prices were on high-end 70″ and 80″ 4K sets, some of which hit the lowest prices we’d ever seen on TVs in that class.

    Target will have similar sales to Walmart and will likely be selling things at a similar price. We recommend double-checking against Walmart when shopping Target to make sure you find the best deals. Target also has a wide range of electronics you can expect to see on sale, which are the hot-ticket items this time of year!

    Best Buy

    Best For: Electronics of all kinds.

    Last year, Best Buy didn’t offer a ton of Cyber Monday sales, but the majority of them were stellar. Look for bargains on home security items and last-generation smartphones — last year’s sales offered the lowest price on the iPhone 7 we’d ever seen. Expect some excellent TV sales, too.

    Expect to also see discounts on high-end PC gear like gaming keyboards and mice. Chairs for computer gaming are also likely to be discounted at a great rate! Consider checking Best Buy if you’re looking for electronics that Target and Walmart don’t usually sell.

  • Best 5 Laptops Under $500 in 2018

    Best 5 Laptops Under $500 in 2018

    Laptops are very essential these days- for school, work, or just personal use. The price of a premium new laptop can cost up to $1,000, which is pricey for anyone. Numerous companies have made laptops more affordable while keeping the quality and capabilities of more expensive laptops.

    You don’t have to feel like you’re settling when shopping for a laptop under $500. There are value-priced notebooks that include full-HD displays, solid performance and long battery life, plus all the ports you need. We picked all the best all-purpose laptops in $500 price range which we think are best laptops to suit the wide range of requirements of people. Here is a list of the best five laptops under $500!

    1. Dell Inspiron i3567 Laptop

    The latest version of this Dell laptop has a powerful system in place with 8GB of memory and a 128GB hard drive and a Intel Core i3-7100U 2.4GHz processor. It has a professional feel in it’s all black look with a 15.6-inch laptop with a screen resolution of 1366 x 768. The operating system runs smoothly with Windows 10 and is backed with a 12 month warranty, with 12 months of tech support.

    • A new, powerful hardware system
    • Has many ports and slots to use your external devices
    • 8 GB Ram
    • 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor
    • It is not backlit enabled
    • Battery life up to 5 hours

    2. Acer Aspire A515-51-50RR Laptop

    The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best budget full-size laptops you can find in stores today. It checks most of the right boxes: well built, slim and fairly light, gets a decent keyboard, an IPS screen and modern hardware, performs well, runs cool and quiet and lasts for a long while on a charge. This slim and sleek laptop is a great all round performing laptop, especially for the price. The visuals are spot on with vivid, bright colors.

    • LCD display and is backlit
    • 2.50 GHz Intel Core i5-7200U processor
    • Storage: 1TB hard disk
    • Intel HD 620 graphics
    • Battery life up to 7 hours
    • All-plastic chassis

    3. HP 15-ay191ms Laptop

    The HP 15-ay191ms, a signature edition laptops that comes with a seventh-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB DDR4 system memory, 1TB of storage and a touchscreen, but still remains insanely affordable. It’s one of those laptops you’d buy without a second thought if you find inexpensive chromebook attractive, but really, really need Windows. If you love touchscreen, this one’s for you! This laptop contains the Kaby Lake processor which makes this laptop consume little power. Apps are not an issue here, they all run very smoothly.

    • Touchscreen
    • Intel Core i3-7100U processor
    • 8GB RAM
    • 1TB hard drive
    • Lag-free performance
    • Battery life up to 6 hours

    4. Dell Inspiron i3567-5185BLK Laptop

    Yet another Inspiron made this list! This version comes in different color options and a textured finish.  Packed with a large 15.6 Inches display and a decent 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U up to 3.1GHz CPU processor. This Dell laptop model would work well for portability with its 4.85 Pounds lightweight design and sleek black look. Great for school work or the family computer. A huge bonus with this laptop is it doesn’t heat up much!

    • 2.4 GHz Intel Core i3-7100U processor
    • 8GB RAM
    • TB hard drive
    • LED display with a built-in webcam and mic
    • Battery life is up to 6 hours

    5. ASUS Chromebook Flip

    This is one of the best convertible laptops on the current market. The Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is worthy of its premium stature with a gorgeous screen, tactile keyboard and a classy design that’s equally as comfortable to use in tablet mode or as a traditional laptop. The screen is a full HD touchscreen and can be converted from a laptop to a tablet by turning the screen. A top pick for a college student!

    • Intel Core m3 processor
    • 4GB RAM
    • 64GB of SSD storage
    • Battery life of up to 10 hours

  • Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

    Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

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

    Drive Medical Phoenix Heavy Duty

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

    Pride Mobility Go-Go Sport

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

    E-Wheels EW-72

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

    Transformer Electric Folding Mobility Scooter

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

    E-Wheels Jellybean Electric Scooter

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

    Spitfire 420 Ex

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

    SmartScoot Lithium Foldable Travel Scooter

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

    Drive Medical Scout 3 Wheel

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

    Best Value: Drive Medical Scout Compact 4 Wheel

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

    Best Overall Mobility Scooter: Shopride Sunrunner

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


  • Best 5 Laptops Under $500 in 2018

    Best 5 Laptops Under $500 in 2018

    Laptops are very essential these days- for school, work, or just personal use. The price of a premium new laptop can cost up to $1,000, which is pricey for anyone. Numerous companies have made laptops more affordable while keeping the quality and capabilities of more expensive laptops.

    You don’t have to feel like you’re settling when shopping for a laptop under $500. There are value-priced notebooks that include full-HD displays, solid performance, and long battery life, plus all the ports you need. We picked all the best all-purpose laptops in $500 price range which we think are the best laptops to suit the wide range of requirements of people. Here is a list of the best five laptops under $500!

    1. Dell Inspiron i3567 Laptop

    The latest version of this Dell laptop has a powerful system in place with 8GB of memory and a 128GB hard drive and an Intel Core i3-7100U 2.4GHz processor. It has a professional feel in it’s all black look with a 15.6-inch laptop with a screen resolution of 1366 x 768. The operating system runs smoothly with Windows 10 and is backed with a 12-month warranty, with 12 months of tech support.

    • A new, powerful hardware system
    • Has many ports and slots to use your external devices
    • 8 GB Ram
    • 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor
    • It is not backlit enabled
    • Battery life up to 5 hours

    2. Acer Aspire A515-51-50RR Laptop

    The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best budget full-size laptops you can find in stores today. It checks most of the right boxes: well built, slim and fairly light, gets a decent keyboard, an IPS screen and modern hardware, performs well, runs cool and quiet and lasts for a long while on a charge. This slim and sleek laptop is a great all around performing laptop, especially for the price. The visuals are spot on with vivid, bright colors.

    • LCD display and is backlit
    • 2.50 GHz Intel Core i5-7200U processor
    • Storage: 1TB hard disk
    • Intel HD 620 graphics
    • Battery life up to 7 hours
    • All-plastic chassis

    3. HP 15-ay191ms Laptop

    The HP 15-ay191ms, a signature edition laptops that comes with a seventh-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB DDR4 system memory, 1TB of storage and a touchscreen, but still remains insanely affordable. It’s one of those laptops you’d buy without a second thought if you find inexpensive Chromebook attractive, but really, really need Windows. If you love touchscreens, this one’s for you! This laptop contains the Kaby Lake processor which makes this laptop consume little power. Apps are not an issue here, they all run very smoothly.

    • Touchscreen
    • Intel Core i3-7100U processor
    • 8GB RAM
    • 1TB hard drive
    • Lag-free performance
    • Battery life up to 6 hours

    4. Dell Inspiron i3567-5185BLK Laptop

    Yet another Inspiron made this list! This version comes in different color options and a textured finish.  Packed with a large 15.6 Inches display and a decent 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U up to 3.1GHz CPU processor. This Dell laptop model would work well for portability with its 4.85 Pounds lightweight design and sleek black look. Great for school work or the family computer. A huge bonus with this laptop is it doesn’t heat up much!

    • 2.4 GHz Intel Core i3-7100U processor
    • 8GB RAM
    • TB hard drive
    • LED display with a built-in webcam and mic
    • Battery life is up to 6 hours

    5. ASUS Chromebook Flip

    This is one of the best convertible laptops on the current market. The Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is worthy of its premium stature with a gorgeous screen, tactile keyboard and a classy design that’s equally as comfortable to use in tablet mode or as a traditional laptop. The screen is a full HD touchscreen and can be converted from a laptop to a tablet by turning the screen. A top pick for a college student!

    • Intel Core m3 processor
    • 4GB RAM
    • 64GB of SSD storage
    • Battery life of up to 10 hours

  • Cyber Week 2018!

    Cyber Week 2018!

    Cyber Week isn’t just for Black Friday leftovers. Every year, Black Friday gets a ton of attention for being the best time to save on holiday shopping. However, some of the best deals you can find come courtesy of Cyber Week! The week after Black Friday is a fantastic day of online deals and it can be so easy to forget the online phenomenon.

    The deals don’t just suddenly end with the passing of Black Friday, and your excitement about them doesn’t have to either. Cyber Week is filled with great savings and sales, without the lines and occasional negativity that come with Black Friday. If you’re looking to do all of your shopping online rather than in stores this year, make sure to bookmark the latest offers all week. We will be scouring the depths of the web to bring you the best of Cyber Week.

    Cyber Week 2018

    This year, Cyber Week is Monday November 26th through Sunday December 2nd. Most online retailers offer their best deals from Monday through Friday, though not everyone does this. Keep your eyes peeled for great deals! For what it’s worth, many retailers have largely begun to conflate Black Friday and Cyber Week deals as online retail has become more lucrative.

    Cyber Monday has historically been a single day of online deals, but since online shopping has become so huge in recent years, this shopping holiday has become more of a shopping holi-week. You can expect to see many of the same deals on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday that you will see on Monday.

     Here are some examples of deals you might see on Cyber Week from top retailers!

    Amazon
    Best For: Gaming and toys, smart home, and almost anything else you can buy online.

    While plenty of other retailers offer Cyber Week sales, none of them match Amazon’s. Last year, we saw three times as many Cyber Week deals at Amazon as the next highest retailer.

    Amazon also has a large number of Black Friday deals on their Fire tablets, Fire TV Stick and Echo devices, among other things. Expect these huge discounts to continue during  Cyber Week. There will likely also be Lightning Deals all throughout the week that you can save a ton on, so stay posted!

    Walmart
    Best For: Parents (and kids, too) and homeowners.

    Like Walmart’s sprawling stores, you’ll find sales on just about every product category on Cyber Week. There were also steals on more practical purchases for parents, including car seats and children’s bedroom sets, as well as household necessities.

    Walmart will be offering sales on a number of things to compete with Amazon’s line. Items like Google Home, 4K TVs and the like will all be discounted through their website. Also, expect to see discounts on home appliances like microwaves, toasters and the like. This is a great opportunity for buying gifts for new homeowners, or just updating your own home!

    Target
    Best For: The hottest Cyber Week TV sales.

    Two-thirds of Target’s Cyber Week sales last year were the best bargains on televisions anywhere. Last year’s sales saw fantastic prices on sets ranging from 40″ to 80″, but the best prices were on high-end 70″ and 80″ 4K sets, some of which hit the lowest prices we’d ever seen on TVs in that class.

    Target will have similar sales to Walmart and will likely be selling things at a similar price. We recommend double-checking against Walmart when shopping Target to make sure you find the best deals. Target also has a wide range of electronics you can expect to see on sale, which are the hot-ticket items this time of year!

    Best Buy
    Best For: Electronics of all kinds.

    Last year, Best Buy didn’t offer a ton of Cyber Week sales, but the majority of them were stellar. Look for bargains on home security items and last-generation smartphones — last year’s sales offered the lowest price on the iPhone 7 we’d ever seen. Expect some excellent TV sales, too.

    Expect to also see discounts on high-end PC gear like gaming keyboards and mice. Chairs for computer gaming are also likely to be discounted at a great rate! Consider checking Best Buy if you’re looking for electronics that Target and Walmart don’t usually sell.


  • What Can You Expect to See on Sale This Black Friday?

    What Can You Expect to See on Sale This Black Friday?

    Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, and shoppers continue to break sales records every year. The massive sale extravaganza is a complete madhouse at certain retailers, and for good reason: the sales are absurd! This year, Black Friday falls on November 23 – but you don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to start scoring deep discounts.

    Every retailer is trying to grab your attention with incredible deals on Black Friday. If you’re looking to save some money for holiday shopping, here’s what you can expect to see on sale this Black Friday!

    Last Year’s Best Black Friday Deals

    If you want to know what to expect for Black Friday this year, you’ll want to look back to the deals offered in 2017. Each year, retailers keep their sales consistent, offering the biggest bonuses and markdowns on the hottest, most sought after products of the year. Last year, retailers released a host of incredible discounts – and those specials were unveiled as early as November 9th. Some of the top deals shoppers scored included:

      • iPhone + Gift Card Offers: Customers who purchased an Apple iPhone X, iPhone 8, or iPhone 8 Plus received a $300 Walmart gift card.
      • Samsung Galaxy + Gift Card Offers: The popular Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8, and Galaxy S8 Plus came with a $300 Walmart gift card.
      • PlayStation Bundle Discount: Buy a PlayStation 4 bundled with GranTurismo Sport and a virtual reality set for $100 off.
      • Nintendo Discount: The popular Nintendo Switch console with two controllers and a carrying case was priced at $299.
      • Xbox One X Discount: The Microsoft Xbox One X console with 1 terabyte of storage space was priced at $499.
      • Smart LED TV Discount: A Sharp 55” 4K Smart LED TV was discounted down to just $298.

    Shoppers went wild for these steals – and this year, you can expect Walmart to offer equally great deals for Black Friday.

    Black Friday Sales to Expect This Year

    It’s easy to predict what kinds of deals you can expect to see for Black Friday 2018. Each year, retailers tends to offer similar discounts and bundled packages on new smartphones, TVs, video games and consoles, and so many more tech products. Before retailers releases its 2018 deals in early November, here’s what we’re expecting to see on the list of deals:

    Smart Speakers

    Smart speakers have been some of the hottest Black Friday sellers in recent years, especially now that big names like Amazon and Google are essentially all-in on the connected home. Expect more of the same for shoppers in 2018, with lots of deals on Alexa and Google Assistant gadgets, smart thermostats from names like Nest and Ecobee, home surround sound smart speakers, connected lighting kits, video doorbells app-enabled robot vacuums… you name it.

    Smartphones + Gift Cards

    New iterations of both the iPhone and the Galaxy have been released, along with plenty of other popular smartphones from LG, Huawei, and more. One of the biggest draws Walmart offers year after year is a special on the most sought after smartphones – and for 2018, we can expect to see gift card offers equal to or better than last year’s deals. Expect to see the newest smartphones, from the iPhone XS and XS Max to the Galaxy S9 and Note 9, offered with a gift card of $300 to $350.

    These types of deals reoccur year after year, and they’re a safe bet at large retailers. If you’re planning on upgrading to a new phone or giving one as a gift, keep this in mind!

    Video Game Consoles

    Speaking of the Nintendo Switch, its sure to be a hot seller this year. The little hybrid console is primed for the release of Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Pokemon Let’s Go! and Super Mario Party. Those big-name games will make the console a must-have for gamers this holiday season, so expect to see it discounted.

    For an example, last year retailers had deals including the console, a carrying case and a game for only $300. That’s the normal MSRP of the system, so the carrying case and game were simply all-upside! This year we expect to see similar sales at various retailers. The Super Smash Bros and Pokemon bundles of the Switch are likely targets for big sales. Both include unique docks and controllers based on the games that are bundled in! They’re both likely to be hot-ticket items this year.

    Microsoft and Sony also offer their Xbox and PS4 at $300, respectively. While we don’t expect to see these systems discounted any, it wouldn’t be surprising to see deals including games or controllers as bundles at $300. These sales are more desirable to retailers: they offer value to the consumer while not digging into the company’s profits. In fact, they could even help offload hardware like controllers or carrying cases while increasing traffic around the holidays.

    TV Deals

    You can also expect to see great discounts of TVs. Interestingly, TVs are one of the few things that hasn’t increased in price year over year with inflation. Instead, it’s more affordable than ever to get a big, flat-screen HD TV. That goes double during Black Friday sales when everything has huge discounts!

    Last year large retailers had 55-inch 4K displays as low as $300. Those kinds of prices were around $200-$300 off of MSRP. A lot of retailers even used those huge TV discounts as one of the biggest draws to shopping in their store during the huge holiday sales.

    As crazy as this sounds, you might even be able to pick up 4K Smart TVs for as little as $250 on Black Friday. These deals are sure to be red-hot to boot. Make sure you’re early in line to snag these deals! TVs are one of the fastest-moving items on sale during Black Friday. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading, this year is going to be a really good time to pull the trigger on an upgrade. Given the trajectory of large flat-screens, it’s likely that this year will have some of the lowest prices ever for them.

    There are sure to be dozens of more awesome deals to be found at major retailers this Black Friday. Ads indicating sale prices are usually out by mid-November, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for early indicators of the big deals this season!

    Laptop & Tablet Deals

    If you’re looking to pick up one of the best laptops or a new MacBook, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best times to do fetch a winning deal. And, with this year’s celebration of shopping quickly approaching, you might want to gear up for the big day and see how you can ensure you only get the best price.

    Big name brands like Dell, Lenovo and HP should all see price drops for their range of laptops, both budget and high-end. Last year, Dell’s XPS 13 and XPS 15 laptops saw liberal price cuts, and we hope to see similar slashing this year. They are two of the best laptops money can buy, so if you find those getting discounted on Black Friday, definitely consider purchasing them.

    Price cuts to Microsoft’s excellent range of Surface devices are also a common sight on Black Friday. Microsoft just announced the Surface Pro 6, and while Black Friday will be too soon for that new device to see price cuts, it means that its predecessor, the Surface Pro 2017, has a good chance of seeing some decent price cuts. Keep an eye out for the affordable Surface Go as well – we suspect Microsoft will make some prices cuts there as well.

    But, what about Apple? Apple’s MacBook notebooks don’t often receive sizable price cuts, but in recent Black Friday events we’ve seen some good price cuts emerging from retailers like B&H Photo and Adorama. If you don’t mind getting somewhat older MacBook hardware from a year or so ago, then you should be able to score yourself a neat MacBook deal on Black Friday. Finally the new iPad Pro was recently unveiled this year so Apple will undoubtedly have Black Friday deals for their most recent flagship product.