Category: Electronics

  • Buy a Xbox One, Get a Free Echo Dot

    Buy a Xbox One, Get a Free Echo Dot

    Alexa has some very new and awesome skills for Xbox One and Amazon is celebrating the occasion. Amazon will offer its updated Echo Dot for free with the purchase of an Xbox One S or Xbox One X console while supplies last. Normally a $49 purchase by itself, getting Amazon’s tiny speaker tossed in for free with a new Xbox purchase. This a great added perk if you are looking to buy a Xbox One.

    Need a Reason to Buy a Xbox One

    The New echo 3 is part of Amazons Echo line up update. I’m sure you saw the article on Goodfind.guru about the Echo Auto already. The new Echo Dot is set to release on October 18th. Amazon says you may get it early if you buy an Xbox one. Amazon says buyers who receive their Echo Dot and Xbox One bundle will “vary based on customer location and their proximity to the inventory.” For many, it’s likely that the Xbox One console and Echo Dot will arrive in separate boxes. Once you have both set up, you’ll need to update your new Xbox to utilize.

    Amazon went wild it its release of the new Echo devices. At its surprise event in September, the company released a slew of smart home products ranging from wall clocks to microwaves and lots in between. Amazon also introduced the premium Echo Plus, its most powerful Echo speaker.

    The Final Thought

    Starting October 12, “qualified” Xbox One S and Xbox One S systems purchased through Amazon.com will also come with an Amazon Echo Dot at no extra cost, Microsoft announced. This is the new Amazon Echo Dot, which normally goes for $50 by itself. There are some bundle options that would let you include an extra controller and NBA2k19 for the low low of $399. That includes the Alex echo when you buy a Xbox one on Amazon. This is officially the best Deal to buy a Xbox One and hopefully will carry through the holidays. Finally with this Alexa support I can ditch the Kinect

  • 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.


  • Samsungs Galaxy F, the Foldable Smartphone

    Samsungs Galaxy F, the Foldable Smartphone

    WE have talked about it before and Samsung has been threatening to  formally announce and commercially release the world’s first foldable smartphone for some time now. A lot  setbacks as well as numerous design revisions and production delays caused by various technical challenges, have delayed this. So long has it been delayed that  everyone from Huawei to Lenovo, LG, Oppo, Xiaomi, and even Motorola is suddenly in this race.

     

    Galaxy F Foldable Smartphone

    Now Samsung has yet to give up its  ground breaking and leading innovation headway. The latest plan calls for a introduction and short public demo as early as next month, Regardless of logistical issues, and a release next year. This isn’t just another cool feature. This is the next evolution, this is as legendary as the smartphone release. We have only had updates and upgrades to apples design for 11 years. Yeah we have come a long way since the first iPhone and release of the first android. This announcement from Samsung will usher In the next decade.

     

    Get excited! Just after the  Galaxy A9 announcement event, Samsung Mobile President DJ Koh clarified the details of the company’s next gen  flexible device, stating it “has to be really meaningful to our customer.” And  “disappear six or nine months after it’s delivered”, aiming to create new and compelling use cases, such as seamlessly switching from a tablet mode with advanced multitasking capability to a more portable phone.

     

    We don’t know yet what the mock ups, or how the construction will be strong enough to withstand constant fold-ing motions. Samsung sounds pretty confident that’s ultimately going to be very durable. They promising global availability this time, which is bold. Considering the light footed limited run of a similarly experimental but far less risky Galaxy initial release.

     

    The Final Thought

    This isn’t just what is next, its not a flash in the pan feature. This is the future, all of it. The light flexible glass will get integrated in to everything, everywhere. Next years “Galaxy F ” foldable smartphone will just be the start. As long and Samsung can get it together

  • Amazon Echo Auto, Alexa in the Car

    Amazon Echo Auto, Alexa in the Car

    Last week Amazon announces a slew of new and updated products. One in particular caught my eye. Its called the Amazon Echo Auto. This device gives your car the smart AI assistant you are already using at your home. Already you are thinking, how does this work and why would i need it. Hang on baby birds, ill feed ya.

     

    How it Works

    It is wireless voice controls. It works just like you think it would. A simple plug in to your car and boom you are interactive. 2 easy, simple steps. Plus the Echo Auto in to your dash via the cigarette lighter port. Download the alexa app. Done.

    What Does it Do?

    SO what can Echo Auto do? It will Connect to Alexa using your phone, is ready in seconds, and plays through your car speakers. Includes Echo Auto Dash Mount. It has eight microphones and far-field technology. This means Echo Auto can hear you over music, A/C, and road noise. It will let you use your voice to play music, check the news, open the garage door, find the nearest gas station. Echo Auto gives you control to play Audible books, stream podcasts, or listen to Amazon Music, Spotify, Sirius XM, or NPR. You can eve Make calls, set reminders, add items to your shopping and to-do lists, or manage your calendar.The feature and function I like the most is the ability to set location-based routines. I can use the automated actions Alexa can start when I leave the office or get home. GPS capacities? She has them. Get directions and Alexa connects to supported apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze on your phone.

     

    The Final Thought

    Tt works better then any car bluetooth voice system I have ever seen. It is magnificent to actually control my phone while driving. Much more then I ever thought it could be. I have had voice control options before, all the way to siri, but none worked with the AC on, let alone anything else. This is the solution to the problem you didn’t realize was a big as you will find out.

  • Finally the Razer 2

    Finally the Razer 2

    I’ve been waiting for this news for a while. I kept asking when is Razer going to make a move for a new phone. Well Things are heating up in the Android market. We have seen the Note 9 and Pixel 3 release this month. There were very few surprises in store for the Pixel 3, which is now Google’s most expensive phone ever. Lack luster release to say the least. Starting at $799 there are better options. For instance, you could buy the Razer Phone 2 instead, Razer’s brand new gaming phone. We knew the new Razer Phone was coming. Razer announced this a few weeks ago when it stated the original gaming phone was a tremendous revenue generator. Why is this a better choice than the Pixel 3? Let me tell you folks if you want to ratchet up specs and a screen that’s unlike anything available on smartphones stay tuned and check out the Razer 2.

    For starters the Razer 2 is the 5.72-inch IGZO LCD with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, wide color gamut, UltraMotion technology and Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Unlike everything else this month, no notch. The Razer 2 is featuring top and bottom bezels. Camera? We have two 12-megapixel cameras, including a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization. On the front, there’s an 8-megapixel selfie taker.

    The Power

    How is the power on the Razer 2? Look inside and you will see the Snapdragon 845 is popped in the Razer Phone 2, so plenty to spare. Also you get twice the memory — the phone has 8GB of RAM compared to 4GB for the Pixel. Lastly it features a Vapor Chamber cooling system. The base model comes with 64GB of UFS storage and does feature support for microSD storage expansion.

     

    The Final Razer 2 Thought

    It is bad to the bone and the top android phone on the market. It is also a better price then its competitors at $799. The phone will be available in two shades of black, including Mirror Black and Satin Black, and it will ship in the fourth quarter in the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, with preorders set for October 11th. The Pixel 3, meanwhile, will reach buyers on October 17th.

  • Which Game Console Should You Buy?

    Which Game Console Should You Buy?

    There are a lot of great video games out there today! Everything from super high-end simulation experiences to fun RPGs and platformers make this the best time ever to be a gamer.

    If you’re wondering what system to buy, you’re likely looking at the big three home consoles and wondering what sets them apart from one another. Today we’re answering the question of what game console you should buy! You should take a look at how you expect to use the device. Some are able to stream video services, play your movie library on a disc, and even produce stunning 4K graphics.

    Right now the most popular platforms are the Xbox One, the PlayStation 4, and the Nintendo Switch. Look at which games are available on which platform, if it can be taken in the car, and if you can play your older games on the new console. Also, take into consideration which online gaming service you may already participate in before deciding on the move your loyalties to a different platform.

    Really, there is no definitive “right” or “wrong” answer, as all three main systems have great things and drawbacks. However, each game console has a pretty distinct niche, and we’re going to help you wrap your head around what each system has to offer!

    Which Game Console Should You Buy?

    PlayStation 4

    The PS4 was released way back in 2013, so it’s getting up there in age. That said, there’s no current plan to phase the system out, so odds are good that the PS4 will be Sony’s flagship console for at least two more years. As for specs, the base PS4 is capable of putting out 1080p graphics, and games on it look great. The current base model is the PS4 Slim, which retails for $300.

    There’s a 4K-enabled spec called the PS4 Pro, and it retails for $400. If you want a ton of power, the PS4 Pro is for you. Sony’s system has a ton of awesome exclusives, such as God of War, Bloodborne and Spider-Man. Fans of big-budget single-player experiences will love the PS4’s library.

    Xbox One

    The oldest console in the current generation, the Xbox One was released in Summer of 2013. Like the PS4, there are no plans to retire the console yet, so expect it to be around for a few more years. Also, like the PS4, the Xbox One comes in two configurations, the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X. As you’d expect, the One S, which is the Slim model, goes for $300, and the One X, which supports 4K, is $400.

    Xbox doesn’t have the same lineup of stellar exclusives as PlayStation, but it’s still a pretty great console. The system packs a ton of power and has a really great controller. The Xbox Live online service is unparalleled, and it’s a great service for people who love online multiplayer. Fans of titles like Halo and Forza should absolutely grab an Xbox, as they’re exclusive to the platform.

    Nintendo Switch

    While Microsoft and Sony’s offerings compete directly, Nintendo’s most recent console is a bit of a black sheep. Not only was it released much later, in March of 2017, it also operates under a different premise. The Switch is both a home console and a portable console, capable of “Switch”-ing back and forth. The unique Joy Con controllers make this transition smooth and satisfying.

    While the Switch isn’t packing nearly as much power as the Xbox One or PS4, it offers premium gaming experiences on the go and at home. It’s hard to understand just how cool the system is until you’re playing Legend of Zelda on the bus! The Switch is a must-have for fans of Mario and Zelda. Pokemon and Smash Bros are also coming to the hybrid console later this year!


  • 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

  • Top Ten Nintendo Console Redesigns

    Top Ten Nintendo Console Redesigns

    News broke last week regarding the possibility of a redesign for the Nintendo Switch. From the very first Nintendo console, the Game and Watch, console redesigns have been a huge part of Nintendo’s business strategy. Today, in honor of the potential new Switch, we’re looking at the top ten Nintendo console redesigns!

    Top Ten Nintendo Console Redesigns

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    10. NES Top Loader

    This interesting, late-life NES upgrade actually hit in 1993. Strangely enough, this console redesign came after the release of the SNES, seemingly to keep up with demand for the then-outdated NES console. It also sports a redesigned controller that mirrors the look of its successor. Not to mention, it paved the way for many redesigned consoles to come over the years!

    9. Gameboy Pocket

    The first major rework for the mega-popular Gameboy handheld, the Gameboy Pocket is adorably small. This tiny little handheld slims down the bulky profile of the original in clever ways. For one, it sports less “dead space” in its design, utilizing a smaller board. Additionally, it is powered by two AAA batteries instead of four AA’s, like its older brother. This means shorter battery life, but smaller profile for pocketing!

    8. New Style SNES

    In 1997, a year after the N64’s release, Nintendo realized they could copy the success of the NES Top Loader with the SNES. So, in the twilight of the SNES’s popularity they released this smaller, more affordable configuration. By ditching some features, like LED power indicators, Nintendo was able to make this a budget option for the holiday season.

    7. Wii Mini

    While the N64 and GameCube skipped redesigns (in the West, at least) the Wii Mini returned to the tradition. This tiny update for the Wii released shortly after the Wii U released in 2012. It had to leave a lot of features out to achieve its tiny size, including GameCube controller ports and SD card support. However, the result is adorable and affordable all at once! It’s somewhat collectable, as well, since it had such a short shelf life.

    6. Gameboy Color

    One of the most well-known console redesigns of all time, the Gameboy Color was part rework and part successor. Oddly, many games in the Color library could be played on original Gameboys. However, the Gameboy Color is most well-remembered for its stellar lineup of exclusive games. Namely, Pokemon Gold and Silver could only be played on the Gameboy Color!

    5. Gameboy Micro

    The Gameboy Micro followed in the footsteps of the Gameboy Pocket a short nine years later. This time, the miniaturized Gameboy Advance system returned to the horizontal form-factor of the original but incorporated a backlit screen and exchangeable faceplates. Adorably, it sports lower-case letters on it’s A and B buttons, which just makes us happy. Additionally, it includes a headphone jack, which was a much-requested feature.

    4. DS Lite

    A much-needed redesign for the original DS (DS Phat, as it is affectionately known,) the DS Lite sports a slimmer profile and brighter screens. It also features a longer battery life! Many felt as though the buttons on the original DS were too small, and the DS Lite addresses this concern as well. The Lite was the first of many DS redesigns, though.

    3. Nintendo 2DS

    The 3DS has a huge library of kid-friendly titles, but its price was somewhat prohibitive. Additionally, the stereoscopic 3D functionality can be damaging to the developing eyes of children. To address both concerns, Nintendo sidestepped the issue entirely and released the ultra-budget Nintendo 2DS. The resounding success of a console reinvigorated sales of Pokemon, Mario Kart and the like for the 2013 holiday season.

    2. New Nintendo 3DS

    Released in 2014, the New Nintendo 3DS has an unfortunate name and an interesting design. Adding a nub-like C-stick and two extra shoulder buttons, the New 3DS nearly replicates the control scheme of home consoles. This move somewhat predicts the Switch about three years before its launch. The New 3DS also boats more RAM, and as such has exclusive games that take advantage of the updated graphical capabilities.

    Gameboy Advance SP

    The very finest Nintendo console redesign comes courtesy of the Gameboy Advance SP. The folding, clamshell design cleverly cut the profile down significantly while also protecting the screen and buttons while pocketed. Additionally, this redesign sports a backlit screen and a rechargeable battery. Really, with the exception of a headphone jack, the SP is the definitive Gameboy Advance model.

    If the updated Switch is as much of a masterclass in industrial design as the SP, we’re excited to see what Nintendo has in store!

  • Google Pixel 3 Leaks

    Google Pixel 3 Leaks

    Google will hold an event on Tuesday, October 9th, starting at 11AM ET. This will be to unveil the Google Pixel 3. This is the latest and 3 incarnation of googles flagship smartphone. The last 2 have been impressive and the 3 is looking to follow suit. Lets take a loot at what we know already. Lets sort through all the Google Pixel 3 Leaks

    The Google Pixel 3 is not much of a mystery. It  has been plagued with Google Pixel 3 Leaks info. In the lead up its launch everyone is showing off the screen, colors, wireless charging capabilities, cameras, and more.  The Pixel 3 XL  has a 6.3-inch screen, 128GB of storage space.The Google Pixel 3 has some impressive and unique  gestures. The specs line up with a disappointing expectations: it uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 chipset, only has 4GB of RAM and a 3,732mAh battery. Pretty standard, and standard for the Google Pixel 3 is a tremendous waste.

    The phone’s cameras info has leaked and looks equally uninspiring. We are hearing it has a 12.2-megapixel main camera, as well as a pair of 8-megapixel front-facing cameras, which allows it to take extra-wide shots.The primary camera is said to be capable of recording 4K videos at 30fps while the front is ‘limited’ to 1080p. Again I find this uninspired. Various images of the Google Pixel 3 XL corroborating previous leaks reveal a notch-style display. The device could be seen featuring minimal bezels on the front-fascia with a slightly thick chin at the bottom. From the backside, the Google Pixel 3 XL seems to carry similar design cue to that of the Google Pixel 2 XL with a mix of glass, aluminium and a circular-shaped fingerprint sensor at the center.

     

    The Final Google Pixel 3 Leaks Thought

    tiple leaks and reviews say the retail box suggest that the phone bundle a few accessories that include a USB-C dongle, a pair of USB-C earphones, USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-A dongle and an 18W USB-C two-pin power adapter. You are probably asking yourself how all this info got leaked, so we have so much details. Well apparently a Honk Kong Retailer is already selling the Google Pixel 3.

    If you still care to follow Google will hold its Pixel 3 event on October 9 at 11am ET. Besides the new Pixel 3 series, the Mountain View company is expected to unveil a “Home Hub,” a new Chromecast and a Chrome OS tablet or the Pixel Slate as it is being called at the event.

     

  • Five Things to Consider When Buying a New Cell Plan

    Five Things to Consider When Buying a New Cell Plan

    Your cell phone and cell plan is a huge purchase and the center of all of your communication, and primary social tool. No longer are they for making calls in an emergency, they are now our most used possession. When we become so dependent on these devices, the cost tend to creep up and rise out of control.

    To help you save on this important cost, we are going to break down the cost and some tips when looking for new cell service. Whether you want to upgrade to a new phone or lower your monthly cost, we will take a look at all the dos and don’ts. Here are the five things to consider when looking for a new cell plan and the no contract cell phone plans as well.

    First Things First

    First off you need to decide on the phone you want to use. There are a lot of options and they update constantly. There are 3 options to consider here, iPhone, Android, non-smartphone or feature phone as they are called today. I don’t recommend buying a feature phone to anyone. You may think it is easier, it is not. A feature phone will lacking functionality also has a more cumbersome operation process. The smartphone is easier to operate and easier to customize to only use the features and functions you want.

    Do You Need a Flagship Device?

    As far a smartphones go you have the iPhone or an Android. The iPhone’s are more powerful, easier to use, more reliable and last longer. The Androids have more advanced feature sets and more customizable. Apple and Samsung make the 2 main device but there are a slew of other brands when looking in to Android. LG, HTC, OnePlus, Motorola all make new top of the line phones every year. You can get a great android device for half the cost of the premium Samsung Flagships.

    iPhone?

    This is always my recommendation. Due to their reliability, durability and ease of use and cost of ownership being much lower. The average iPhone will last 3.5 years, stay current and cutting edge. Isn’t the cost very high? Not really, The highest end new iPhone is the most expensive device on the market, but last year’s models or cheaper models like the XR are available. There is always an iPhone for any budget and they are always the best option in their class. Even today you can purchase an iPhone 7 for less than $450.

    No Contract No Cry

    Wait! $450? Aren’t phones supposed to be free! I never paid for a phone before… No they have never been free, and yes you paid a lot more for your free phone then you think. This brings me to my next point. Contracts. Don’t do them. Years ago the iPhone 7 that is selling for $450 with no contract would have been free with a 2 year contract. The cost of the subsidy was built in to your cellular plan at an average of $40 per month. Did you do that math? Your free phone cost you $960. Your best option is to find the phone you want and purchases at full price.

    The New Cell Plan

    This lead me to my last tip, by bringing your own phone you can get the best price on your plan. No longer do you have to worried about prepaid or postpaid. You can pick the plan you want and the carrier you want. Verizon and AT&T are the premium providers, with better, faster and more extensive coverage. They mock each other plans so cost are just about the same. Sprint and T-Mobile are your bargain carriers, cheaper and service will have holes and speed issues. You may not notice but odds are you will. Their new cell plan will run you a few dollars less.

    The Next option is to go with non-carrier 3rd parties. MetroPCS, StraighTalk, Cricket, Boost. These are providers that don’t have a network of their own and instead piggy back on the Carriers network. While these can be the cheapest option, they do not receive the same level of coverage. Even though they are using the same network, they are at a much lower priority and do not share in with the roaming agreements the major carriers have in play. So while you may get to use T-Mobile’s network, you will be out of service when it is not available. With a direct T-Mobile service you would jump on to one of the other networks. This is something you want to evaluate when buying a new cell plan.