Category: Smart Devices

Get yourself an Intimidator UTV…You Deserve it.

Looking for that new toy?

Feel like treating yourself this year for christmas or just for the heck of it? In need of a new UTV to help things done at work or on the homestead? Take a look at the Intimidator line of Utility Vehicles. The Intimidator UTV’s Company has delivered the pinnacle of small utility vehicles and have seamlessly blended ruggedness with luxury and style. This is just a short bio of the relatively new company, from whom we expect big things: Intimidator, Inc. is owned by Robert and Becky Foster, former co-owners of Bad Boy Mowers. Intimidator offers world-class, American-made, side-by-side 4×4 vehicles with unparalleled strength, power, and performance at an affordable price. The company’s expanding line of products includes the Intimidator Classic, Intimidator Crew Cab, Intimidator Truck Series, Enforcer ATV, and the new GC1K, all built to suit a variety of needs from hauling feed, hunting, or traversing a rocky creek bed!

Bottom line is these things are impressive.

What’s the buzz about?

Intimidator has set out to produce the absolute best quality UTV’s and it all starts with good ol’ American steel and hand welded chassis. The company realized that creating a UTV that can withstand every and any environment this country has to offer is a much needed item. The folks who need a UTV around the house or at work are gonna them through the ringer. Whether your driving to a swampy fishing hole, a deep woods hunting spot, or farming during a Minnesota winter, these UTV’s can withstand it all. They have 5 different fully customizable UTV lines to choose from all depending on what works best for you. Here’s what the company has to say about their Classic Series:

The Intimidator Classic Series was designed for work and play. Key features include premium bench seats with headrests for up to three adult passengers, a full-size bed that can hold up to 1,200 lbs. of cargo, and a towing capacity of up to 2,100 lbs. Intimidator provides different power options to get the job done; from smaller jobs to middle-of-the-road and those requiring extreme power. The Intimidator Classic Series is packed with features that make it one hard-working, American-made machine. Each line has the option to hold a gas, diesel, or electric motor (for all you hunters out there). But drive safe, these bad boys can hit 60 MPH!

Summary

If you have the need and means for this ultimate toy, then I highly recommend treating yourself. But keep in mind, that is exactly what you’ll be doing. Depending on the options and models, the Intimidator UTV can run up $22,000.00. That’s actually more expensive than an older model Ford F-250. But with that price tag, you are getting the best of the best. And the intimidator can go many places and do many things a large truck cannot. Hence its true value. If I get to a point where I can justify one of these babies, you better believe Santa will be bringing me one.

Intimidator UTV Website Link: https://intimidatorutv.com/

September 14, 2018
5 “Smart Home” gadgets every house should have…

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

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

1. The iRobot Roomba

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

2. The Nest Thermostat

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

3. Brilliant Light Switch

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

4. Amazon Echo and Echo Dot

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

5. The Ring II doorbell system

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

The Conclusion

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

September 12, 2018
5 Things We Found Out About the Galaxy S9

Think you know everything about the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Samsung Galaxy S9+? We have been posting, researching, speculating on the next big thing in the android world for a year now. Finally it has be unveiled, and we were mostly correct but here are 5 unsuspected things we were surprised to learn about the S9

1.The bezels are thinner then the S8, but the phone is more durable

The top bezel lands at 8.21mm with a 0.39mm reduction, while the bottom bezel measures in at 6.99mm. Impressively, that’s a reduction of 1.01mm. In both cases, the reduction in bezels actually brings the size of the device down by 1.2mm and 1.4mm on the S9 and S9+ respectively. Samsung has made the S9 more durable compared to its predecessor. In short, this comes as the result of using a different type of aluminum.

2. The camera is quieter and does much better in low light

I was blown away by how well the S9+ performed in dim conditions, because the variable aperture on the Galaxy S9 and S9+ goes as wide as f/1.5. Samsung says that its new flagships let in 28 percent more light. With the support of a wider aperture, f/1.7, that kicks in when the ambient light is 100 Lux or below. 100 Lux is the light you’ll see on overcast day or in most office settings. At the same time, Samsung added dedicated memory to its camera in order to reduce noise.

3. Dedicated Fingerprint

This is a new feature for this year’s flagship phones and is for the Secure Folder element. This folder is a compartment for files and apps that you want to keep separate from the rest of the phone. It uses your Samsung account and you can access it using the same security protocol, fingerprint, passcode, iris recognition etc as you do to unlock your phone. Once you’ve moved files to the Secure Folder, nobody can see them without your passcode, fingerprint or whatever.

4. We Get to Keep the Headphone Jack

The S9 and S9 Plus have retained their headphone jacks, unlike other phones in the class, including the iPhone X, 8, and 8 Plus, Pixel 2 XL, or the Huawei Mate 10 Pro. That’s a blessing for audiophiles who just aren’t satisfied with the current state of wireless audio and for people who even have a designated pouch for their dongles but still lose them. Admit it dongles are tiny and easy to misplace.

5. That Sound Really Bumps

Dual stereo speakers to the device for the first time . The S9 finally have Dolby’s surround-sound Atmos technology built-in. Samsung created a device that offers premium sound experiences with stereo speakers tuned by AKG. Whether users are watching their favorite movie or streaming their favorite artist’s latest album, sounds are clear, crisp and rich in quality.

September 6, 2018
What to Expect at Apple’s Gather Round Event

September is a lot like Christmas for Apple fans. This is the time of year when Apple unveils their newest projects, hyping everyone up for the newest products. If you’re an iPhone fanatic, a Mac lover or anything in between, this is the time of year you wait for. Thankfully, on September 12^th, at 1:00pm Eastern Time, Apple will hold their Gather Round event. What can we expect to see this year? We’ve got the speculation to get you hyped!

What to Expect at Apple’s “Gather Round” Event

A Livestream to Coincide with the Event

Image Credit: BGR.com

Invitations have already been sent out to various members of the press to attend the event. If you didn’t get one, don’t sweat: the event will surely be livestreamed. It will start at 1:00pm Eastern Time, or 10:00am Pacific Time for you West Coast-ers! From the name, “Gather Round,” we’re guessing this press conference will have a cozy, home-like vibe. Intimate-style press conferences seem right up Apple’s alley, so we’re not surprised.

New iPhones

Image Credit: CNET

iPhone 9

Three iPhones will likely be on display, but one of the most interesting is likely to be the iPhone 9. While that might not be the real name, it seems likely that something like it will appear. The name iPhone 9, of course, is derived from its perceived placement between the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. This phone is set to have a smaller screen, LED display and lower price tag than the X. This would make it a more accessible version of the new, home-button-free design with Face ID and full front screen.

iPhone XS

This reported phone, also mocked up above, is the likely successor to the iPhone X. It will likely be an iterative step up, possessing and OLED screen and powerful processor much like its older brother. Whether it will be called the iPhone XI, iPhone 11 or something else entirely remains to be seen, but odds are good the name XS will stick. What is certain, though, is that Apple will have an update to the iPhone X ready.

iPhone XS Plus

Again, naming isn’t locked in on these phones, but the large-screen variant of the iPhone X formula is on its way. The largest handset by far, the iPhone X Plus will appeal to lovers of huge phones. Honestly, from the leaked specs, this phone much more closely resembles a phablet. One thing is certain: a ton of people with huge hands are going to love this massive, premium smartphone.

MacBook Air

Image Credit: TechRadar

Apple has been hinting at the possibility of a new, low price-point MacBook for some time now. We expect to hear more details on that front soon. Laptops are struggling to stay relevant in the face of smartphones, much as tablets did before them. As such, expect features like LTE to rival new initiatives from Microsoft. Additionally, expect a huge Retina display and USB-C ports.

iPad Pro

Image Credit: Apple

Speaking of tablets, we’d be surprised if there weren’t changes coming along for the iPad. The device that launched the tablet craze has been somewhat under-loved recently, so we’d like to see it get some attention. Rumors point to an iPhone X-style iPad, with slim bezels and Face ID. It’ll be interesting to see how the iPhone X’s revolutionary gesture interface fares on a tablet!

New Operating Systems

Image Credit: CNET

Don’t expect just hardware announcements: Apple’s certainly been hard at work on new software. iOS 12 will almost certainly be making its debut during the event, but that’s just the start. WatchOS 5 will also be unveiled, we’d be willing to bed, coinciding with announcements of Series 4 Apple Watches. We’ll get to those. Finally, MacOS Mojave will likely be announced, along with its new Dark Mode and other features.

Apple Watch Series 4

Photo Credit: Apple

That Series 4 Apple Watch we were mentioning? Yeah, this is it. Rumor has it that the display is going to be much bigger, taking on an iPhone X-like screen with small bezels. It seems Apple’s really cracked how to do that and is super pleased to slap it on everything. That’s fine by us, the iPhone X’s screen looks incredible, we’d be happy to have it on everything. Another rumor holds that they’ll be scrapping the Wi-Fi only model and just doing an LTE model. That makes sense, as it was a bit complicated having two.

Mac Mini

Photo Credit: CNET

Remember the Mac Mini? The compact computer is due to show up at the Gather Round event in some capacity. We expect to see a new suite of ports, such as USB-C compatibility, and a slight redesign. Implementation of solid-state-only models seems likely, as does adoption of new processors. In all, they haven’t touched this line since 2014. As such, it’s due for a bit of an overhaul!

Airpower

Photo Credit: iMore

Believe it or not, it’s been a full year since Apple announced their wireless Airpower charging pad. It’s likely that the very interesting pad could be on display at Gather Round. The unique device is capable of charging up to three different devices at once, providing the correct amount of power by identifying what type of device is on it. This allows it to safely power multiple items at once! Rumors are scarce on the Airpower pad, but we’ll see come September 12^th.

September 6, 2018
Samsung Confirms Folding Phone Coming This Year

Samsung Mobile CEO DJ Koh has confirmed in an interview that we’ll see the company’s long-awaited folding phone this year. That’s right, this very year, 2018. Now, whether we’ll get to actually, you know, buy it, remains to be seen. However, Koh was clear that Samsung plans to unveil the device before year’s end, claiming that it will revolutionize smartphones.

Photo Credit: BGR

Why a Folding Phone?

During the interview with CNBC, Koh claimed that the device is foldable for many reasons. The first, he stated, is for variation of purpose. “When you need to browse or see something, then you may need to unfold it,” he said. The phone will have number of uses while still folded, however. Tasks like answering calls, texting and the like will be completely doable while folded.

Speaking on the difference between the foldable experience and tablets, Koh said they were working to make them distinct. “If the unfolded experience is the same as the tablet, why would they (consumers) buy it?” Koh stated. “Every device, every feature, every innovation should have a meaningful message to our end customer. So, when the end customer uses it, (they think) ‘wow, this is the reason Samsung made it’.”

Our Take

The foldable design seems unusual, at the very least. We’re not saying we’re going to dismiss it out of hand, but we’re skeptical. While Koh seems convinced that the foldable aspect is distinct from tablets, we’re not so sure. If the folding action is satisfying and the phone works equally well folded and unfolded we’ll be intrigued, at least.

However, rumors of the folding smartphone have been rumbling about for years. If you’ve been following this technology, it’s been announced and delay no less than four or five times since 2013. The necessary technology to allow a high-resolution display to fold without compromising its structural integrity seems to have been more complex than anticipated.

Potential Announcements

In any event, we’re cautiously optimistic about any announcements regarding this technology. That goes double for announcements that would have it being shown off in as short as four months. If the device is to be announced this year, it’ll likely be in November. That’s when the annual Samsung developer conference takes place.

With Apple leading the innovation in smartphones once again with the iPhone X, this could be a big moment for Samsung. If their folding phone proves to be popular, they could have a chance to pull back in front. The ongoing rivalry between Samsung and Apple has created no shortage of smartphone innovation. We certainly hope this foldable screen technology follows suit!

September 6, 2018
5 “Smart Home” gadgets every house should have…

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

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

1. The iRobot Roomba

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

2. The Nest Thermostat

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

3. Brilliant Light Switch

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

4. Amazon Echo and Echo Dot

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

5. The Ring II doorbell system

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

The Conclusion

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

September 5, 2018
5 “Smart Home” gadgets every house should have…

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

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

1. The iRobot Roomba

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

2. The Nest Thermostat

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

3. Brilliant Light Switch

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

4. Amazon Echo and Echo Dot

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

5. The Ring II doorbell system

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

The Conclusion

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

September 2, 2018
Bloomberg’s iPhone Rumors
It is getting closer to iPhone day, the most glorious day of the year. My house is decorated with a nerdy apple fan boy glee, the chargers are stocked all through the house and not a device is left unbacked up, not even the magic mouse. All that’s left to is to sift through the mountain of speculation, rumors and trolls to paint the picture of what’s to come on that glorious iPhone day morning. Today notorious troll site Bloomberg has posted their “inside” knowledge and Bloomberg’s iPhone rumors they have uncovered. Let’s take a look and the 5 things they say to expect on iPhone day.

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

They hate and play it safe, that is what Bloomberg media does. What’s it worth? Next to nothing. Of the 5 tips they gave only the Color options are interesting. Will apple go back to an iPhone 5c model? I don’t think so, it is more likely Bloomberg is assuming a cheaper iPhone option will mock the last cheaper iPhone option. They are undoubtedly forgetting about the existing cheap iPhone option the iPhone SE. Its clear to see either Bloomberg’s iPhone Rumors are a hit piece or fluff, ill allow you to decide. I guess this is a prime example of the fake news we are hearing about so much these days. Stay tuned to Goodfind.guru later this week for Beau’s 5 things to expect on iPhone day.
August 27, 2018
Fitbit Charge 3 Review Roundup

Fitbit’s latest Charge-series watch, the Fitbit Charge 3, is here. What are people saying about this one? Is it a worthy successor to the Charge 2? Does it live up to the Fitbit name? And, most importantly, is it worth its $150 price tag? We’ll talk about all that and more in today’s review roundup!

Photo Credit: Wareable

What’s New?

What makes this new Fitbit, well, new? There are a ton of iterative upgrades that we’re happy to see. Firstly, you’ll notice right away that this entry is lighter than the Charge 2. It’s about 20% lighter, to be exact. That’s nothing to scoff at, as you can barely even tell you’re wearing it at this point. That’s a great trait for a fitness tracker, so we’re not complaining. The screen is significantly larger this time, and it’s very easy to read. It’s an OLED screen, and it suffers from very little glare in sunlight.

The side button is actually just a haptic feedback knob now instead of a true, physical button. That allows the Fitbit Charge 3 to be waterproof up to a depth of 50 meters, which is nothing short of excellent.

Features

The standard suite of fitness tracker features are here, of course. Swim tacking is excellent, as you would expect, as is running and other activity trackers. The watch has no built-in GPS, but it can pair with your phone to offer that functionality. Between the lack of GPS and the haptic button, ample space has been freed up within the tracker for battery size. The battery certainly doesn’t disappoint: most estimates clock it as lasting for a week or more. That’s a critical aspect for a fitness tracker!

The Charge 3 even offers a few smartwatch-like features. Fitbit promises that the tracker will sport some full apps soon, including weather and timers. These are apps that make sense for what the Charge 3 is trying to be. That said, don’t expect to see Facebook on it.

Is the Fitbit Charge 3 Worth it?

As for the bottom line, this is an excellent fitness tracker. By bringing pitch-perfect weight and size to the table and offering just enough features, this is a tracker that knows its niche. It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone, and it does its job at a good price.

It’s hard to not recommend this fitness tracker to those who are serious about exercise. If you’re looking for a smartwatch, of course, this isn’t for you. However, if you find yourself in the market for a fitness tracker, this is one of the best out there.

August 22, 2018
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Review Roundup

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is here, at long last! What are people saying about Samsung’s newest phablet? Is it a huge overhaul and true iPhone killer that Samsung has been dying to bring to market? Or is it a big, clunky and lame addition to an overplayed and outdated line of Android phones?

Truth be told, it’s neither of those things. What it is, instead, is a solid phablet. If you like Android phones, and big ones at that, you’re going to love this phone. If you already weren’t sold on Android, this phone isn’t going to change your mind. Let’s get into the roundup!

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Review Roundup

Photo Credit: Tech Republic

The Obvious Stuff

The most notable feature of this behemoth is just how damn big it is. Seriously, if you hate big phones, this one doubles down on being massive. It benefits from its size by having a big, gorgeous 6.4-inch AMOLED screen, which makes it every bit as pretty as the iPhone X. It makes a slight jab at Apple by sporting a traditional headphone jack, which is somehow refreshing and quaint simultaneously. It sports IP68 waterproofing, which is pretty much industry standard at this point for flagship phones.

Processor

As for the insides of the phone, it’s got a great processor under the hood. The Snapdragon 845 churning away at 2.8 GHz is a beast and can handle nearly anything you throw at it. If you need proof, throw the phone into the desktop-style DeX mode and attach an HDMI converter to it. Then, throw the image up on the screen and give a PowerPoint-style slideshow. All of that from a tiny little processor!

That all being said, it’s worth noting that it still doesn’t quite reach the high bar set by the A11 Bionic processor in the iPhone X. That’s not surprising, considering how cutting-edge the A11 is. However, it is still a knock on a phone that also costs $1,000 to not meet the competition in terms of raw power.

The S Pen

The Note 9 has the S Pen, which allows you to take precise notes or draw on the screen. It’s bigger and much more responsive than previous iterations and is one of the best smartphone styluses out there. If you often take notes or doodle on your phone, this is a good option for you.

Bottom Line

This is a fine Android phone, and likely the very best phone for productivity. If you want tablet-like functions on a smartphone and don’t mind the phone’s massive size, you’ll love it. However, for most users, the combination of huge price tag and huge dimensions will be more off-putting than exciting. For the same $1,000 price tag, you can snag the much smaller and more pocketable iPhone X.

The Note 9 does have one distinct advantage over the iPhone X, though: it has no screen notch. So, if you’re a notch-hater, this is the phone for you!

August 17, 2018