Category: Lifestyle

  • The 5G Network Will Evolve the World Part 4

    The 5G Network Will Evolve the World Part 4

    Over the past few days we have been delving in to the next generation of mobile internet connections and what it will mean for our daily lives, what we can expect, who and where this will come from and what we can make of all of this. In this 5 part break down we are going to take a Snow-white like look into our futures. 5G networks are coming, and faster then you would expect. Just to put this in to a scope of things, Cyborgs will run on 5G Connectivity. Excited yet? Well you should be because today we talk about when and from whom we can expect the new 5G network.

    The 5G wireless standard will deliver a unifying connectivity fabric that will bring huge enhancements to today’s mobile broadband services, expand mobile networks to support a vast diversity of devices and services, and revolutionize the Internet of Things (IoT), but where will this tech come from? The easy answer is the same place we are getting it from now, the big providers. Lets take a look at where Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint/T mobile are at now and when we can start getting the good 5G internet.

    Verizon

    Ronan Dunne, Executive Vice President of Verizon says “5G has the potential to join a very exclusive club―the handful of technologies throughout history that transform industries across every sector of the economy … redefining work, elevating living standards, and having a profound and sustained impact on our global economic growth.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, and I’ve been trying for days.

    Ronan also states  “A discussion around 5G technology is really a discussion around delivering life-changing technologies through next-generation networks. Verizon’s Ultra-Wide Band 5G network will allow up to 100 times better throughput, 10 times longer battery life and 1,000 times larger data volumes, all while being 10 times more reliable. We are the only company with the engineering experience, fiber assets, wireless millimeter wave spectrum and partnerships to scale the transfer of massive amounts of data at unimaginable speeds”

    This all sounds promising, whats the plan for implementation? Verizon’s mobile 5G network is going to launch early next year, even if the company hasn’t outright said it. We know this in part to the announcement and release of the Moto Z3. The Z3 will officially be the worlds first 5G device. “You’re not going to have a phone without a network,” Nicola Palmer, chief network officer of Verizon, said in an interview Thursday. This will put Verizon’s 5G Network rolling out Q1 2019. Looking for Boston and DC to be the first then rapid expansion.

    AT&T

    Even though American Telephone and Telegraph will be first to the market they will be second tier. Verizon will do it better if history teaches us anything. AT&T is aggressive in its own 5G ambitions. WE do have more solid information from AT&T thought. As part of its plan to bring speedy mobile 5G service to a dozen cities this year, AT&T announced Friday the names of three of those locations, Charlotte, Raleigh and Oklahoma City.

    The trio joins the previously announced cities that AT&T says will have access to its 5G network in 2018,Dallas, Atlanta and Waco.  Waco, TX, yes that Waco… Not sure how that made it to the list. Waco must just get to be the future hub of civilization. I cant even type that with out rolling my eyes. We do have to note AT&T has said that this wont a be a true 5G network but more the foundation of a 5G network.

     

    T-Mobile/Sprint

    If you are wondering why I’m smushing these two together instead of giving them their own paragraph. Disrespect mostly but they are merging together in an effort to compete. Sprint is planting its own flag in the 5G race and bringing T-Mobile along for the ride.

    The nation’s fourth-largest wireless carrier, poised to merge with T-Mobile next year. They have announced that it has tapped LG to build a 5G smartphone and believes it will be the first to market with one next year. “We think we’re far enough along in the development that we would be surprised if anyone beat us,” said John Tudhope, director of product portfolio for Sprint. It will not be first, the Moto Z3 will be, but technically the Z3 is a moto mod to make it 5G.

    Sprint promised its 5G network will be capable of full-length HD movie downloads in “seconds instead of minutes” and the ability to play games without any “delays, hiccups or lag-time.” Sprint will launch its 5G network in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix and Washington. This will happen in the  next year before expanding to other parts of the country. They have stated it will be out late 2018 but looking for delays, hiccups and push backs until the merger is complete.

    The Final 5G Network Thought

    Its coming, we said it and now you see it. This isnt something that is out on the horizon.. We are coming in to shore and docking with the 5G network. The big devices that will first get adapted and launch this puppy with be the Wifi pucs. They are portable 5G WiFi units.  These pucs will be the first major success in 5G allowing you to instantly upgrade all your devices to a mobile 5G network. Ill take 2 please.

     

    https://goodfind.guru/2018/08/17/the-new-5g-network-will-evolve-the-world-part-5/?uuid=66bd9f5f-3bf7-65a7-4a5d-4a9f2a3a6cec

  • Best Over the Counter and Natural Pain Remedies!

    Best Over the Counter and Natural Pain Remedies!

    Sometimes you just need a bit of pain relief. Whether it’s sore muscles, a bad bruise, a killer headache or whatever else, you’d rather it just not hurt so bad.

    Thankfully, there are plentiful over-the-counter remedies available as generics to help relieve your pain. There are also a few natural solutions that many people swear by when it comes to pain remedies. We’ll highlight a few of the most popular so you can make an informed choice!

    Best Over the Counter (or Natural) Pain Remedies

    OTC: Ibuprofen

    The brand name versions of this drug are Advil or Motrin. It’s been clinically tested with a nearly 9 out of 10 rate of people feeling it’s worth taking. It could upset your stomach, so make sure you take it with food. Also, it could cause kidney damage, so don’t take it if you’ve got a history of kidney problems!

    Natural: Turmeric

    Many swear by the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric. It’s been shown to help with upset stomach, indigestion, and even help as part of treatment for more serious conditions. It could even help with common aches and pains. If you’re the type who doesn’t tend to like taking pills, try this out the next time you’ve got a sore muscle!

    OTC: aspirin

    Aspirin is one of the most well-known pain relievers, often found in the brand-name Alka-Seltzer. In its various forms, it can be either a pain reliever or an indigestion aid. Children under 12 should avoid aspirin, though, as it could be harmful to the liver if taken too much. Keep in mind this is aspirin with a lower-case a, which is different from the version from Bayer with a capital A.

    Natural: Heat and Ice Application

    The pain-relieving qualities of applying heat and/or ice to a sore area are well-document. However, be careful when applying hot or cold items to your body! Apply heat to an area if it is stiff or if your pain is arthritic. Conversely, ice can help reduce swelling and cut back on inflammation. Athletes swear by this pain-relieving method! Speak to a physician about how this natural remedy could be applied to your aches or pains if you’re hurt.

    OTC: Aspirin

    The brand name Aspirin, which is different from Alka-Seltzer’s version, is another well-known pain remedy. It can reduce fever, as well, and is even known to have helpful effects in those with heart disease. However, keep in mind that it is a blood-thinner. If you’re at risk for internal bleeding, stick with ibuprofen or one of the natural pain remedies!

    Natural: Acupuncture

    Seeking pain relief from an acupuncturist may seem silly at first, but it’s a well-documented and ancient practice. The Chinese art helps relieve pain through a process known as qi manipulation, altering the path of your body’s natural energies. Scientific study of the practice has found that the pain-relieving qualities are a result of the serotonin released by the sensation of the needles being driven into your skin. Either way, it’s been proven to help in some cases!

    OTC: Acetaminophen

    This medicine works by affecting the part of your brain that controls temperature and regulates pain messages. As such, it doesn’t alter the physical causes of your pain, but instead tricks you into not feeling the pain. While that might sound scary, it’s quite safe! Prolonged sessions of taking acetaminophen can lead to liver damage, though, so be aware! Just take enough to ease your pain, don’t overdo it.

    Natural: Cryotherapy

    There are a few ways to go about this, whether with a cryotherapy chamber or just an ice bath. The idea behind cryotherapy is that, by shocking your body with cold, you make your body produce special type of protein. These cold-shock proteins have anti-inflammatory properties that can help naturally fight pain!

    OTC: Naproxen

    Those with a history of heart disease may prefer naproxen over ibuprofen. Naproxen is good for treating general aches and pains, as it is an anti-inflammatory. It does run the same risk of upsetting the stomach that many other over-the-counter pain remedies, so take it with food!

    Natural: Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

    The theory behind PEFT is that using electromagnetic fields to stimulate natural anti-inflammatory compounds. While it sounds high-tech, you can actually get the treatment for between $30 and $60 from a physical therapist or chiropractor. If you want a machine in your own home, they’re a bit pricey: they run around $1500 on the low end.


  • Top Apps for Travel Deals

    Top Apps for Travel Deals

    Who doesn’t love to travel? Going on a fun adventure far from home is a great way to relax, recharge and energize! It can, however, be quite expensive. If you’re like me, you love traveling, but you also love saving money! With that in mind, today we’re going to try to do a bit of both. Let’s check out the tops apps for travel deals! Adventure awaits!

    Skyscanner

    Our first app is Skyscanner, a solid choice for travel deals. The notable functionality of this app is its ability to show you all the best deals on flights based on date and destination. The app will even alert you when better prices on flights become available.

    You can schedule your travel around when the tickets will be the least expensive. You can even browse by top deals if you don’t have a destination in mind, seeing which flights from your local airport offer the best value.

    Hopper

    Much like Skyscanner, Hopper is an app that helps you find good prices on plane tickets. Unlike Skyscanner, Hopper’s gimmick is sending you push notifications for when to buy tickets.

    You can save a ton of money through Hopper if you’re the kind of person who has plane ticket money just laying around. By striking while the iron is hot, you can snag crazy deals. Just be ready to fly (and buy) at some odd hours.

    Hotel Tonight

    Hotel Tonight lets you get a hotel room booked in seconds. The app offers some pretty fantastic deals, as it partners with hotels to get their empty rooms sold quickly. Hotels are an odd business, and they’re seeing increased competition from Airbnb.

    As such, they’ve started to get a little more creative in how they encourage guests to stay. Using Hotel Tonight, you can snag rooms that were canceled and are otherwise going to go unsold. The hotel would rather sell it, and you’d rather save money, so it’s win-win!

    Airbnb

    If you don’t mind the prospect of sleeping in someone else’s house, you can get some pretty great savings through Airbnb. The app offers curated experiences called Trips that allow you to get a more authentic, genuine-feeling experience in your city of choice.

    While some have raised concerns over the ethics of apps like Airbnb, it remains one of the best apps for travel deals. It’s hard to pass up some of the savings it offers! Just make sure it’s legal in the city you’re thinking of visiting: many localities have forbidden the divisive app. Safe travels!

  • Top AARP Benefits: Should You Join?

    Top AARP Benefits: Should You Join?

    When you start to get past age 50 or so, the jokes start rolling in. Shouldn’t you get a discount here? Are you going to get the Early Bird special? Very fun, everyone; but, seriously, there are some good discounts for being older! Jokes aside, you might be considering joining AARP for a similar reason: the benefits! Today we’re looking at ten of the top AARP benefits you get for the modest $16 per year membership. Let’s see how it all stacks up!

    Top AARP Benefits

    You Can Join at 50

    50

    Most senior discount programs don’t start until you hit 55. AARP, however, lets you join when you’re fifty. That means you can start reaping the benefits sooner, rather than later! You’re more than entitled to the discounts and savings by the time you’re fifty. Don’t let pride or vanity stop you from hopping on: there’s no shame in being 50, 60, 70 or whatever age. All it brings is wisdom and perspective!

    If You Are Married…

    married

    If you join AARP and you’re married, good news! Your spouse is a member for free. That means that married people get double the value from their membership! It’s like a buy-one, get-one free deal! If you’ve been on the fence about joining and you’re married, you can be assured it’s a good value, as it practically doubles your benefits.

    If You Aren’t Married…

    single

    Maybe you don’t have a spouse to share your membership with, but no worries! Members can join the AARP dating site as part of their membership. The best part about it is that you know you’ll be matched with people in the same stage of their lives as you are! There’s nothing quite as exhausting as sifting through tons of profiles of people who are half your age. You can cut that whole process out with an AARP membership!

    You Get AARP’s Magazine

    magazine

    Your membership also includes a subscription to AARP’s magazine. While it’s not the biggest perk in the world, it does contain a ton of helpful articles detailing the deals you can take advantage of. Nothing quite like saving money while you’re saving money, huh? The articles are also top-notch and well worth the low cost of the membership by themselves! There are articles on personal finance, travel and a ton more. What’s not to love?

    Insurance

    insurance

    Some people find that AARP’s car insurance policy is more affordable than other insurers’ plans. This could vary from person to person, but they are often the most affordable option for people over 50. It’s worth asking for a quote from AARP and making a decision based on that. If the switch would save you more than $16 per year, it’s sort of a no-brainer to get an AARP membership just for that!

    AARP Travel Center

    travel

    Between deals on flights, parking and more, the AARP Travel Center is a huge plus for members. Most people think of AARP members are boring older people, but that’s pretty far from the truth. Going on fun vacations and traveling are some of the perks of having an established nest egg! Why not save while you travel? The AARP Travel Center will make sure you’re taken care of.

    Cruises

    cruise

    You’ll often find better rates on cruises from Norwegian, Grand European and Windstar through the AARP’s Travel Center. There’s nothing quite like sailing the high seas on a luxury cruise liner! And it’s hard to beat some of the deals you’ll find on them through the AARP discounts.

    Rental Car Discounts

    carrental

    Most rental car companies offer discounts to AARP members. In fact, all AARP members get a 30 percent discount on a Zipcar membership. AARP is a great deal for those who love to travel! Not having to worry about what you’re going to drive on your vacation is a pretty big load off your shoulders!

    Hotel Discounts

    hotel

    To round out the awesome travel deals, you’ll also get access to great deals on hotel rates. Between the flights, hotels and rental cars, the AARP pretty much has you completely covered on vacation discounts. If you travel often, it’s hard to find reasons not to have an AARP membership!

    Other Discounts

    savings

    You also get discounts on nearly any and everything you can think of. It’s hard to keep track of how many ways you can earn back your membership fee through saving. Angie’s List, Dunkin Donuts, Outback Steakhouse, Kohl’s, AMC Theaters, Verizon and many more places all offer discounts. Really, it’s harder to find places that won’t offer you a discount for being a member!

    The Most Important Benefit

    aarp

    The biggest benefit for being an AARP member is knowing that you’re supporting an organization that lobbies lawmakers on your behalf. Rules and regulations that affect seniors are lobbied on by the AARP to help keep you safe. The quality of life of every member is made better by the legislation that the AARP helps to lobby. That’s a benefit that’s pretty hard to pass up!

  • Best Over the Counter and Natural Pain Remedies!

    Best Over the Counter and Natural Pain Remedies!

    Sometimes you just need a bit of pain relief. Whether it’s sore muscles, a bad bruise, a killer headache or whatever else, you’d rather it just not hurt so bad.

    Thankfully, there are plentiful over-the-counter remedies available as generics to help relieve your pain. There are also a few natural solutions that many people swear by when it comes to pain remedies. We’ll highlight a few of the most popular so you can make an informed choice!

    Best Over the Counter (or Natural) Pain Remedies

    OTC: Ibuprofen

    The brand name versions of this drug are Advil or Motrin. It’s been clinically tested with a nearly 9 out of 10 rate of people feeling it’s worth taking. It could upset your stomach, so make sure you take it with food. Also, it could cause kidney damage, so don’t take it if you’ve got a history of kidney problems!

    Natural: Turmeric

    Many swear by the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric. It’s been shown to help with upset stomach, indigestion, and even help as part of treatment for more serious conditions. It could even help with common aches and pains. If you’re the type who doesn’t tend to like taking pills, try this out the next time you’ve got a sore muscle!

    OTC: aspirin

    Aspirin is one of the most well-known pain relievers, often found in the brand-name Alka-Seltzer. In its various forms, it can be either a pain reliever or an indigestion aid. Children under 12 should avoid aspirin, though, as it could be harmful to the liver if taken too much. Keep in mind this is aspirin with a lower-case a, which is different from the version from Bayer with a capital A.

    Natural: Heat and Ice Application

    The pain-relieving qualities of applying heat and/or ice to a sore area are well-document. However, be careful when applying hot or cold items to your body! Apply heat to an area if it is stiff or if your pain is arthritic. Conversely, ice can help reduce swelling and cut back on inflammation. Athletes swear by this pain-relieving method! Speak to a physician about how this natural remedy could be applied to your aches or pains if you’re hurt.

    OTC: Aspirin

    The brand name Aspirin, which is different from Alka-Seltzer’s version, is another well-known pain remedy. It can reduce fever, as well, and is even known to have helpful effects in those with heart disease. However, keep in mind that it is a blood-thinner. If you’re at risk for internal bleeding, stick with ibuprofen or one of the natural pain remedies!

    Natural: Acupuncture

    Seeking pain relief from an acupuncturist may seem silly at first, but it’s a well-documented and ancient practice. The Chinese art helps relieve pain through a process known as qi manipulation, altering the path of your body’s natural energies. Scientific study of the practice has found that the pain-relieving qualities are a result of the serotonin released by the sensation of the needles being driven into your skin. Either way, it’s been proven to help in some cases!

    OTC: Acetaminophen

    This medicine works by affecting the part of your brain that controls temperature and regulates pain messages. As such, it doesn’t alter the physical causes of your pain, but instead tricks you into not feeling the pain. While that might sound scary, it’s quite safe! Prolonged sessions of taking acetaminophen can lead to liver damage, though, so be aware! Just take enough to ease your pain, don’t overdo it.

    Natural: Cryotherapy

    There are a few ways to go about this, whether with a cryotherapy chamber or just an ice bath. The idea behind cryotherapy is that, by shocking your body with cold, you make your body produce special type of protein. These cold-shock proteins have anti-inflammatory properties that can help naturally fight pain!

    OTC: Naproxen

    Those with a history of heart disease may prefer naproxen over ibuprofen. Naproxen is good for treating general aches and pains, as it is an anti-inflammatory. It does run the same risk of upsetting the stomach that many other over-the-counter pain remedies, so take it with food!

    Natural: Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

    The theory behind PEFT is that using electromagnetic fields to stimulate natural anti-inflammatory compounds. While it sounds high-tech, you can actually get the treatment for between $30 and $60 from a physical therapist or chiropractor. If you want a machine in your own home, they’re a bit pricey: they run around $1500 on the low end.


  • 7 Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

    7 Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

    When you discover that a friend or family member has a problem with drugs or alcohol, it often comes as a huge surprise to you. But secrecy is the drug on which addiction thrives, so it’s not really that odd that you were in the dark.

    Addiction grows worse over a sustained period of time, and there are some indicators that may give you an idea something is wrong with your loved one before the bottom falls out.  Here are the 7 signs and symptoms of addiction you should look for if you suspect someone you love has a problem with drugs or alcohol.

    7. Change in Behavior

    As people’s addictions get bigger, their lives start to change and the things that they value the most begin to fall away. Depression sets in, and suddenly they stop doing activities or hobbies that they once loved, or maybe their mood becomes erratic. An example of a change in behavior that’s worth noting would be when a person who values health and fitness abruptly stops exercising or eating well.

    6. Change in Friends

    This sign isn’t always the easiest area to recognize, because it’s fairly normal for friendships to fade and new people come into our lives. But when normally social people stop hanging around with their usual group of friends with no explanation, it’s important to take notice — especially if there wasn’t an event that precipitated the change. Or, maybe there’s a new person in their life that just doesn’t seem to be someone they would normally be friends with. This can be a telltale sign that something funky is going on.

    5. Job/Career Issues

    When addiction takes hold, inevitably some issues are going to come up at work or school. Over time, addicts becomes less capable of hiding performance flaws in areas of their lives that are under the microscope. If a normally responsible person is missing deadlines or not following through on commitments, this could be an indicator that something’s up.

    4. Legal Issues

    Addiction is likely to create a bevy of legal issues that are going to make it hard to ignore that something is going on. A DUI or getting thrown in the clink for a drunk and disorderly is an obvious tell that your loved one’s judgment is off. But there are also less obvious signs, like doctor shopping or frequenting ER rooms. And addicts can justify their behavior so that they make you feel foolish for asking why they have so many doctor appointments. But if you think something’s wrong, go ahead and ask anyway.

    3. Family Strain

    Relationships with family are often jeopardized when people develop an affinity for drugs or alcohol. Early on, it may reveal itself in behaviors like retreating to their room after work or spending too much time with their face in the computer, playing games or surfing the Web. Communications become strained, and the addict stops showing up to family engagements, or maybe even to dinner. If you feel a substantial shift in your relationship with a family member, you should start asking questions.

    2. Physical Changes

    Extreme physical changes are a big indicator of a problem. Maybe they’re getting scraggly and smelly because they’ve stopped grooming or showering.  A noticeable weight loss or gain can be a symptom, and the same goes for a change in eating and sleeping habits. For example, crystal meth addicts can stay up for days, then crash and sleep for days. When they eat, they’re likely to ravenously consume sugary foods.

    1. Personality Changes

    In an adult brain, defined as a brain that’s 24 years or older, there are really only three things that are likely to cause a profound personality change in someone. Substance abuse or chemical dependency, mental illness and or a physical ailment, such as a brain tumor are the three things that can cause a profound personality change. Mind you, this isn’t the same as watching a person get a little down in the dumps, or go through a period of anxiety. Profound personality changes are much more extreme. If you witness this, it’s advised to reach out to a professional for guidance and counseling on how to address your loved one.


  • Moviepass on Life Support

    Moviepass on Life Support

    First off I want to give a big thank you to Moviepass . Thanks to you its been a terrific summer at the movies. I have seen everything I could stomach to sit through. Yes I even saw Oceans 8. Going through my history in the Moviepass app I checked in and saw 52 movies since I signed up in March. It was a test just to write an article and I fell in love with watching movies in the theater again. I even found myself going out of my way to visit the towns older theaters that I used to frequent as a child just for nostalgia purposes. I can truly say it was a great summer at the movies thanks to movie pass.

    52 movies in 5 months, at an avg. ticket price of $10 Moviepass paid $520 for me so far and I only shelled out $50 for the 5 month subscription. That is probably why Moviepass is on life support right now. We have seen the stock verse split in the past week for a 1:250 reverse, Only to watch that crash again. Shutdowns, crashes and failures on the user end. We are watching the deep a dying breath of Moviepass.

    Is it time to give up? Cancel my subscription? Go back to paying for each movie I want to see? Not a chance, like it or not Moviepass has changed things. There is no going back and theater subscriptions are the business model of the future. The industry was taking a down turn for the first time in a 100 years and Moviepass breathed new life back in to it. THey will have to pry my Moviepass card from my cold dying hands…

    Is There Any Hope?

    While it is looking very dark and there seems to be no chance of pulling out of this nose dive they are in now Moviepass is still clinging to life. They have been working on a cash shortage situation and a way to make this subscription turn a profit. They have in emergency fashion cut a lot of the options from the app. You can no longer see new release movies and some Movie times are just not available. They are in the process of raising the price to $14.95 monthly. I did a quick rundown on the math, with my usage its still highly advantageous for me. $74.95 for $520 worth of movie visits.

    The only way this can work is if the theaters and studios start to see the impact Moviepass has had and can start using Moviepass to their advantage making it worth wild to subsidize the ticket cost for them. The price will obviously have to increase. $19.95 would be optimal if they can find a way to even make that profitable. Another option is to use the app to show movie trailers and gaining user interest through there. Have the app play an Ad for a trailer of an upcoming movie upon checking in to the app. Maybe even a 1-5 rating question of how likely are you to see this movie. Giving valuable user input of 5 million subscribers could be a nice barging chip for them.

    The Final Moviepass Thought

    I’m all in on Moviepass and I’m really hoping it finds a way through this organizational pivot. Pivot they must, but I keep going back to the early days of Netflix when they disrupted the video rental industry.” They don’t charge late fees and the expense of using the mail system will break them”, on pivot and here we are. Hold strong movie pass, and for all of you debating on whether to cancel your subscription, stay tuned for my next article “ 5 reasons to keep Moviepass this fall”

  • Tech Throwback: Treo 600

    Tech Throwback: Treo 600

    like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. Im going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today I’m powering up the Treo 600, the first commercial pocket Palm pilot and phone.

     

    The year was 2003 and Linkedin was setting up a place for guys with sideways cellphone belt pouches. We just need the right phone to put in it.. Boom, behold the Treo 600. Palm’s first Palm Pilot and phone in one.

    The Treo 600  is an Internet-enabled Palm Pilot PDA designed and marketed by Handspring then later by Palm. It has a touchscreen with a full  QWERTY keyboard. The Treo 600 functions include those of a camera phone and a portable media player in addition to text messaging and multimedia messaging. It also offers Internet services including e-mail , instant messaging, web browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity.

     

    My Hands on with the Treo 600

    The Treo 600 is a rather large device by cell phone standards but compact for a PDA. The 600 is slightly wider and deeper than its predecessor and is nearly half an inch slimmer, giving it a more cell-phone like feel. The new form factor has been compared to a bar of soap. The design is definitely an example of form-follows-function, the front of the phone consists of a full QWERTY keyboard at the bottom with menu and home buttons at the bottom right. Above the keyboard are the 4 application buttons with a “five-way” navigator in-between. Each application button can be mapped to two applications, with the exception of the last button which has one of its functions permanently mapped to the on/off.

    It functions slow and cumbersome by today’s standards but at the time it had the contacts game on lock down. This was the first phone to incorporate the multiple number and emails to one contact. Previous to this you had to list Todd, Todd Home, Todd Cell, Todd work all as an individual contact with one number associated to it… Not any more. Wow we were easy to please back then. The old Gprs network this phone functioned on is long gone and there doesn’t seem to be a Wifi option and I  cant remember if that is correct. Never the less I  cant test a website, and note that the websites where not mobile friendly in those days, you pulled up the full page and had to whip out this little stylus and navigate on a 2 inch screen. Impossible you say? Yes it quite was.

     

    Quick Speck Look

    Specifications
    Mobile phone, GSM/GPRS model with 850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands, CDMA model with 800/1900 MHz bands.
    144-MHz ARM processor.
    32 MB RAM (24 MB available storage).
    Built-in rechargeable lithium ion batteries, lasting more than 24 hours in normal usage.
    Palm OS ver 5.2.1H complete with standard applications including web browsing, email, calendar, and contacts.
    Size 4.4 × 2.4 × 0.9 inches (11.2 × 6.0 × 2.2 cm)
    Weight 5.9 oz. (168 grams)
    Display 160×160 pixels CSTN backlit display
    SDIO / SD / MMC memory slot.
    MP3 and stereo audio headset compatible (requires a converter to accept standard headset).
    Digital camera VGA (640×480) resolution (Most models)
    Infrared com port and touch-screen with stylus.
    Backlit keyboard with phone dial layout.
    Speakerphone and vibrate mode.

    The Final Thought

    This phone failed commercially but set up the Treo 650 which with some minor improvements kept the new Linkedin crowd happy for a nice and health 5 year run. But the 600 in its color less glory was a sight to casually remember…

  • Grover, Subscription Tech on the Reg

    Grover, Subscription Tech on the Reg

    Now This could be something. Grover, a German start-up offering customers tech products on monthly, quarterly and yearly subscriptions, just raised more than $42 million in early-stage funding, he company hopes to change consumer behavior toward tech products by making outright purchases unattractive. After signing a partnership agreement with German e-retailer MediaMarkt, the company will focus exclusively on the German market, but could offer their services internationally in the future.

     

    How Would This Work?

    The Berlin-based startup that offers “pay-as-you-go” subscriptions to the latest consumer tech as an alternative to owning products outright. Grover wants to be something like a  Netflix for gadgets. It offers individual tech products by monthly, three-monthly or yearly subscription, or via its newly launched “Grover Mix” subscription, which has a fixed monthly price and lets you switch item at any time.

    Here in the States we have similar options, like rent to own. This would be less of a sham and more of a return my old iphone and get the new one for a small monthly fee. This would allow us all to remain on the cutting edge with out getting out dated in a few months. Ask me about my $8000 Mac Pro from February. Yeah you know the feeling.

    You are afforded some upside protection, should you wish to purchase the item after renting it first. You’re given the option to buy products with 30 percent of your subscription payments to date being deducted from the recommended retail price. For longer rental periods, Grover will also warn you if you are close to reaching 130 percent of the full purchase price and prompt you to consider buying it for €1.

     

    The Final Thought

    There are still some serious kinks and logistic issues to iron out and this is still in the infant stages. On top of that it will only be available in Germany, not even in the rest of the EU. Need less to say I would be very in on the Grover Mix option. With their Series A in place this could be a big new thing i wouldn’t be surprised to see a global company take a crack at.  If you havent put it together yet, if Grover’s subscription model becomes compelling enough, purchasing many tech products will become so unattractive buying tech will go the way of the Blockbuster. Stay tuned for more information as it develops.

  • Ten Best Natural Hair Regrowth Remedies

    When you get right down to it, no one likes losing their hair. While there are numerous expensive hair treatments out there, they’re largely unnecessary. Why is that, you might ask? Well, there are several natural hair regrowth remedies that you can try first. Let’s talk about regrowth!

    Ten Best Natural Hair Regrowth Remedies

    Pumpkin Seeds

    This one might sound odd but hear us out! Try adding pumpkin seeds to your diet. They’re high in zinc, and zinc deficiencies are a common cause of hair loss. Not to mention, when it comes to healthy hair zinc is an important component!

    Try Drinking More Tea

    Caffeine has been shown to encourage hair growth. While we suggest not overdoing it on caffeine, as caffeine dependencies are unhealthy, drinking a morning cup of tea could do more than just perk you up! That’s assuming you don’t already drink coffee or caffeine-high energy drinks. See, caffeine has nearly the opposite effect in very high quantities.

    Jump on the Superfood Hype Train

    A number of the super-seeds that are all the rage in health-food circles also have proven to encourage hair growth. Chia seeds, hemp seeds and flax seeds are all great sources of fiber! Not only are they good for you, but they can help you have a lush, full head of hair!

    Omega-3

    Whether taken in supplements or consumed from wild-caught fish, Omega-3 is great for full hair. Not only is it good for you, it’s good for your locks! It’s also known to help with inflammation, which is good for those with chronic pains.

    Drink Less Alcohol

    As a general rule, you should probably just drink less alcohol. However, if you’re worried about hair loss, it’s especially important that you cut back on alcohol. It increases inflammation, which is terrible for you in general, and it can lead to higher liver toxicity. That, in turn, can lead to hair loss.

    Stop Smoking

    While it can be exceedingly difficult to quit smoking, it’s very important that you do so. Besides the numerous health benefits to not smoking, you’ll also encourage your hair growth. That’s right, smoking can even make your hair fall out.

     Take B-Vitamins

    Try taking a B-vitamin supplement. They’re great for managing stress, and B7 and Biotin both encourage natural hair growth. Not to mention, your body will thank you for the vitamins!

    Aloe Vera Juice

    Drinking aloe juice has been shown to encourage hair growth. There are also shampoos that include it that can help with hair growth! It’s totally natural, inexpensive and quite good for you. Why chase some expensive supplement when you could just go the natural route?

    Fish Oil

    As we mentioned, Omega-3 is great for thickening hair. As such, fish oil supplements are a great way to encourage your hair’s growth naturally. It’s also a great way to make sure you’re getting enough Omega vitamins!

    Adaptogen Herbs

    Adaptogen herbs, like ashwagandha and rhodiola, have been proven to reduce cortisol levels in the body. That helps fight the body’s natural processes that lead to hair loss! Not to mention, adaptogen helps the body produce natural stress-fighting mechanisms by helping to balance hormones.