Wireless Wednesday for 3/16/16 - A Laptop for Every Budget

Besides a home and a car, a laptop is one of the most important purchases you will make. And many people make this purchase each year, for whatever reason.

While it's a personal decision, it's also a tech decision and finding the right laptop to meet your needs and budget can be tough.

Have a listen:

 

1.   HP Stream  - Under $200   - For the Budget Conscious

The revolutionary HP Stream is a stylish, affordable Windows-based PC that lets you store your content in the cloud for easy access in more places.
- Comes in 11" or 13" displays
- Free Cloud Storage for Data
- Free Office 365 Personal Included
- Dual Core Processor
- Thin and Light

 

2. Microsoft Surface Line-   Starts at $400

The Microsoft Surface line always gets a lot of exposure, especially when it comes to being in a partnership with the NFL. Surface models start at around $400 and give a full Microsoft experience in laptop or tablet mode.
There’s no limit to what you can achieve with the versatility and power of Surface. Do great things.

 


3. Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series 2-in-1 Special Edition -  $699 at the most

Great for business use.

The Del Inspiron 11 measures 0.76 by 11.8 by 7.9 inches (HWD) and weighs 2.98 pounds, a compact and attractive system.

11-inch 2-in-1 with the performance of a laptop and the convenience of a tablet in one small device that makes it easy to take with you anywhere.
The $600 “Special Edition” review unit represents the top tier of the system, and came with a sixth generation Intel i3 core processor, 4GB of DDR3L memory, and 128GB hard drive.

The Inspiron 3000 doesn’t look like a two-in-one, and that's a good thing.
A powerful laptop/tablet device.
 


4.  Razer Blade Stealth  -  $1199  and won a "Best of CES" award

www.razerzone.com
Many people don't know about Razer, the maker of quality laptops
The Stealth (QHD) is a thin, attractive system with an all-aluminum body measuring 0.52 by 12.6 by 6.1 inches (HWD).

    0.52” Thin and 2.75lbs
    12.5” 4K and QHD Touchscreens
    6th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 Processor
    Chroma Keyboard - 16.8 Million Colors per Key
    8GB dual-channel onboard memory (LPDDR3-1866MHz)
Windows® 10 (64-Bit)

The Razer Blade Stealth’s highly durable chassis is CNC-milled out of aircraft grade aluminum. The ultra-sleek finish and thin form factor adapts perfectly to any situation. Together with up to 8 hours of battery life, you’ll be able to play casual games on the train and power through your daily work.
 

5. Acer Predator 15    $2000-3000

- The ultimate gaming notebook

Acer Predator 15 G9-591-70VM Gaming Notebook comes with these high level specs: 6th Generation Intel Core i7-6700HQ Processor 2.6GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.5GHz, Windows 10, 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-backlit IPS display, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M with 3 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM, 16GB DDR4 Memory, 128GB SSD, 1TB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM), 8X DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive (M-DISC enabled), Acer True Harmony Premium High-Performance Sound System, Two Built-in Stereo Speakers and Subwoofer, Built-in Digital Microphone, Secure Digital (SD) card reader, Killer Wireless-AC 1535 802.11ac Wi-Fi featuring 2x2 MU-MIMO technology (Dual-Band 2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth 4.1, Gigabit Ethernet, Built-In HD Webcam, 1 - Thunderbolt 3 (Full USB 3.1 Type C) Port, 4 - USB 3.0 Ports, 1 - HDMI Port, 1 - Display Port, 8-cell Li-ion Battery (6000 mAh), Up to 6-hours Battery Life, 7.5 lbs.

 

App of the Week:

Wallapop

Wallapop, the free iOS and Android shopping app where people can sell items locally that they no longer need and buy from nearby neighbors the ones they can’t wait to get their hands on - ranging from cars, to iPhones, vintage treasures, baby gear and more.

There are several differences between Craigslist and Wallapop:

·         Craigslist is not available via app

·         Wallapop takes 30 seconds to post an item for sale, while Craigslist is much more cumbersome

·         With Wallapop there is an exact geolocation available, so you can find items that are extremely close to you and immediately see how far away the items are. This feature makes the buying/selling process much easier and is not an option through Craigslist

As for safety concerns, when consumers are buying and selling items online through any service, they should use caution and meet in a public, neutral space. Wallapop user safety is a top priority and they have tips available to keep it a happy and safe process.
·         Get set up in 60 seconds – effortlessly sign up with Facebook or Gmail, pick your neighborhood, snap a picture of your first item, set a price and DONE!

·         Anonymous messaging keeps identities safe – answer questions about your listing or set up a time to exchange while keeping you and your contact information safe and sound

·         Locate a “pop-up thrift shop” – use the geo-locating filter to find the treasures hiding as close as 0.25 miles away in your friendly neighbors’ garages

·         Quick cash! - sellers walk away with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars, and buyers get products they’ve been craving without costly price tags

·         See it to believe it – On Wallapop a photo is required to ensure the quality of every item is transparent, right from the start

 


“With more people shopping via mobile, Wallapop is the logical choice for discovering great second hand items. Other online marketplaces aren’t available for mobile, and take several minutes to register and post an item. With Wallapop, almost anything you no longer use anymore can be posted in as little as 30 seconds, and is just as simple for customers to discover the perfect high-value items locally.”

“We all like extra cash in our pockets, and Wallapop provides users with an easy, fast and free way to get rid of items they no longer need. We recommend though that both users and buyers shop wisely. When buying via the app, make sure you meet in a public, neutral space and do not go alone. Safety should always be top of mind. Happy shopping!”

-Maria Grasso, Director of Media Strategy, Wallapop

Wireless Wednesday for 3/9/16 - Tennis With the Stars and Travel Apps

Rick is in Indian Wells, Calif. this week as one of the biggest tennis tournament, the BNP Paribas Open gets underway, but before the main draw matches get underway, it's a little fun and games an the annual "Tennis With the Stars". Put on by Cliff Drysdale Tennis and the Onmi Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa.

Last year, Rick teamed with World No. 4, Kei Nishikori to win the media championship...  what happened this year????  -  Spoiler... he played with WTA superstar, Genie Bouchard!

Have a listen:

-  and then our topic of the week...

Travelers, both business and leisure are always looking for new apps to make the travel process easier. Travel means headaches, waiting in line and other pet peeves always seem to crop up....

Rick spends a lot of time out on the road and many of us in Atlanta do as well. Whether it be in a car, plane or whatever your mode of transportation is.

Travel app became big a few years ago, but not they are really coming into their own.

1.   Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson ATL Airport app.  -  Free for iOS

 Flights, car rental, shuttle bus, taxi. Arrivals & Departures.
Airport Manager with airport plan, map directions, weather, nearby hotels
-- Cheap Car Rental, over 6000 locations worldwide. Reserve a rental car and get a great rate online
-- Find, compare, and book: airport taxi & Shuttle Bus Transfer
-- Flight Board with live flight departure and arrival atatus for all worldwide airports.
-- Flights Planner. World's largest offline airline route manager.
-- Things to do & trips. Sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do and fun activities.
-- 14 days offline weather forecast. Detailed current weather with information about: conditions, temperature, humidity, pressure.
-- Currency converter (offline)
-- 11 languages supported: english, german, french, russian, korean, portuguese, spanish, japanese, italian, chinese, thai
 

2. RoadTrippers

RoadTrippers makes itself useful as soon as you pull on to the highway.
Travelers plug in their itineraries and the app will recommend restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations and stretching spots en route. The app also gives estimates of how much drivers can expect to pay for gas.

Note:  RoadTrippers is no substitute for GPS. Once you've found the stops you want to make, you’ll have to export your itinerary to Google Maps or Waze to get directions.
 

3. DUFL  - and Shipsticks  (2 diff apps, but they do kind of the same thing)

We've talked about Shipsticks before and how they will ship your golf clubs, but DUFL takes the same idea to more sports

DUFL, will be able to ship sports equipment like golf clubs, skiis, snowboards, surf boards etc. to a traveler's final destination - allowing active travelers & sports enthusiasts to travel hassle-free.
The DUFL app gives frequent business travelers the freedom to roam untethered. Our secure, sophisticated platform delivers your bag where and when you need it. With each use your clothing is cleaned the way you like it, stored in your virtual closet and prepared for your next trip
 

4.  Veganagogo -  Because many travelers are Vegetarian or Vegan

- iOS and Android
Veganagogo provides the modern vegan traveller with an app that lends at least a little confidence to a situation that has filled vegans with dread for decades. Yep, you guessed it, ordering vegan food on the road.

 
5. Audiobooks.com app

Listen to books off your mobile device while you travel.
Folks that used to listen to books on tape or books on CDs no longer have to carry the tapes and CDs around anymore. There are companies that sell audiobooks and one of the best in Audiobooks.com

Thousands of FREE audiobooks await. Whether you're stuck in traffic, waiting for your connection or cramming for an English test—Audiobooks puts the most beloved audiobooks at your finger tips. And then you can purchase the latest releases or subscribe to the service.
 

App of the Week:

KnowMe

Free for IOS
 KnowMe is a free iOS app that enables users to tell their own stories through video by simplifying complex editing.

KnowMe is as easy as tapping photos & videos from your camera roll or the Internet and talking over them to narrate your story. You can also add music or pull in a clip’s native audio, and believe me - it’s way easier than iMovie or Final Cut. Unlike Vine or Instagram, KnowMe also lets you drag and drop to reorder your photos & clips, giving you the freedom to create engaging content that goes beyond point-and-shoot video. Once your KnowMe is made, you can share it on KnowMe’s built-in social network; post it to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter; or simply text/email it to a friend. Celebs like JJ Abrams, Trevor Noah, Sean Hayes and Greg Kinnear are already using KnowMe, and its ease of use makes it appealing to anyone (regardless of their tech-savvy).

Greg Kinnear made a KnowMe to prove that he got a hole in 1 when he went golfing with Dennis Quad: http://knowme.com/content/ba079e26-8425-4a6d-b2d2-fdfd14685552
 

Wireless Wednesday for 3/2/16 - Bridgestone and Spring Training Tech

*** Rick got to tour the Bridgestone Golf Factory in Covington today...  what did he see???

Spring Training has sprung at places in Florida and Arizona as the MLB season prepares to throw it's first pitch.

All the teams have reported and are getting ready for Exhibition Games where some new technology will be tested and introduced.

Rick and Mitch feel it's never too early to talk about baseball, so here's some of the hot tech to look for at Spring Training 2016.

Have a listen:

1.   Protective Headwear for Pitchers

Seeing a pitcher, at any level of baseball, struck by a powerful hit is one of the more gruesome aspects of baseball. This type of contact is extremely dangerous, and could even result in death by internal bleeding in the brain.

The protective cap, designed by Boombang, essentially looks like a helmet with the top cut off to look more like a hat. Each helmet is specifically made to protect the most vulnerable areas of contact for both left-handed and right-handed pitchers. The headwear is 0.7 inches thick, made with a carbon fiber shell—it has been tested to protect pitchers at around 85 mph.

The list of pitchers that are set to receive this new cap varies from ones that have been struck by hits in the past, like Tampa Bay’s Alex Cobb, to pitchers that recently expressed interest.
 



2. Coolbase Technology in the Jerseys

Cool Base jerseys are made of 100 percent Polyester Performance Mesh and feature Cool Base technology, which helps wick away moisture quickly to keep you dry and comfortable.
You too can order your own Coolbase jersey at Fanatics.com

 

3.  Three-wheeled Pitching Machines

Allow balls to come at batters not only at Major League speeds, but with Major League movement on the ball.
They throw Major League cutters and sliders on and off the edge of the plate. Also helps catchers with their technique and are great for simulated games.

 

4.  Mike Trout Using a Smart Bat thanks to Zepp

Mike Trout is one of the most, if not the most, complete players in all of baseball.

Now, thanks to new technology, he's getting an edge on training.

Zepp unveiled a new swing sensor that's integrated directly into the bottom of Trout's baseball bat that gives instant feedback on his attack angle, swing speed and other metrics.

"It's pretty cool how you can put a sensor inside a handle and not even feel it," said Trout. "I swung it a couple times, you don't even feel it's there."

This technology isn't just for the professionals though, as Zepp has partnered with little leagues to give kids a chance to compare their swings to that of Trout.

"As a kid, you're just out there swinging. You don't know what you're doing. You're out there just trying to make contact. With the app, to show you video of it, you know that's the stuff I'm dealing with now," said Trout.
 


5. Use Of Extended Protective Netting Starts In Spring Training

The new experience of looking through extended protective netting in more of the best field-level seats of the ballpark will first occur for Cubs fans at spring training games in Mesa, Ariz. Sloan Park will have netting from dugout to dugout, going 70 feet from home plate. This new feature will be in place on March 4 when the Cubs play the first of their 15 home games in the Cactus League.

The decision to enhance fan safety here by the Cubs is consistent with the MLB’s recommendation in December to further protect fans by extending the netting down the foul lines. Clubs aren’t being forced to put up the protective netting in spring training, MLB chief communications officer Pat Courtney said, but the Cubs chose to do so anyway.

The view of the playing field will be different with more netting in place and could be a big adjustment for the fans paying the top prices for premium seats.
 

App of the Week:
Tennis Champs

* Free for iOS

- The best tennis video game ever produced and one fo the top sports games
- This is the "Madden" of Tennis
The Amiga classic tennis game, Tennis Champs, is back on serve for sports video game enthusiasts. 20 years after the original Tennis Champs and Super Tennis Champs launched for Amiga systems, it's been remade, refeshed and brought up-to-date so sports gamers in 2016 can topspin and slice their way to victory.

Already getting raves reviews, Tennis Champs has hit the ground running and it's earned "Game of the Week" honors from TouchArcade. It's available for the iOS device of your choice, but it really shines on the iPad Air and Mini with the added screen real estate. It was actually remade for iOS by the guy who was the programmer for the Amiga version, so we still have the same on-screen characters, they still possess the same on court traits, but with better looking animation.

The game is addictive. The players move easily around the court with the newish controls, but with the feel of the 1990's version. Practice, play matches, Daily Challenges and if you are in it for the long haul, there is a Career Mode for those that want to be pros. Career mode puts you among the top-200 pros in the world and on the World Tour. Work your way up the rankings and try to win those coveted major titles.
 

"Wireless Wednesday" on SportsRadio 92.9 for 2/24/16 - Amazon Prime Benefits

** If you shop on Amazon.com, it's a given that you've been hit over the head with emails and messages to join Amazon Prime.

Is it worth it?  Usually yes!

Should you join Amazon Prime for $99 per year?

There is more to Amazon Prime than simply free two-day shipping. And while the chorus line points out a few of the additional benefits, there are even more perks than could be squeezed into that minute-long spot, some of them more heavily promoted than others.

Here's what you get.... with Amazon Prime... courtesy of Rick and Mitch

1.   Free Two-Day Shipping

Still Prime's main selling point, you get free two-day shipping with no minimum on most orders. Ordinarily, one needs to spend at least $35 to get free shipping. Even then, it is standard shipping which takes twice as long.

2.   Guaranteed Delivery (Which Can Result in Free Prime)

But what if you really, really do need your order in two days and it takes longer? Amazon will give you an extra month of Amazon Prime for free. The only catch is that you have to ask.

3. Same-Day Delivery (in some cities)

What if you really need your order right now? If you happen to live in one of the 21 cities where Prime Now is available, you can get most items delivered the same day, and many items as soon as within two hours. Place your order by noon!

Here are some of the cities where same-day might be available: Orlando, Chicago, New York, Northen New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, West Coast cities and also Atlanta.


4.   Streaming Music, Movies, and Television Shows

The most promoted of its secondary benefits, an Amazon Prime membership gives you unlimited access to millions of songs and thousands of movies and television shows — including Amazon original programming. Between the almost unending buffet of entertainment and having everything delivered for free, you'll never have to leave the house again.

5.  Free Kindle eBooks

Like a virtual public library, Prime gives you access to more than 500,000 eBooks. You can borrow one book per month and there's never any late fees. Note: This feature only works for Kindle owners, not Kindle app users.

* Other benefits include: early access to Amazon sales, "Prime Only" coupons and ability to share your Amazon Prime membership with everyone in your household.


App of the Week:

Mimicker Alarm

For Android

 Microsoft released Mimicker, a new alarm clock app (for Android) that helps users wake up – and stay awake – with a set of fun, interactive games. Mimicker showcases the capabilities of Project Oxford’s powerful machine learning APIs, including tools for emotion recognition, computer vision and speech recognition. The app is now available as a free download in the Google Play Store. See Mimicker in action: Wake up with games through the Mimicker Alarm app, powered by Microsoft Project Oxford machine learning

To dismiss your alarm in the morning, you must mimic the action given. We might ask you to snap a selfie, speak a phrase, or even get out of bed! The Mimic games require you to be awake, alert, smart, and use your self and your surroundings, so be ready to move when your alarm fires.
 
 If you don’t finish the game in time, we’ll assume you’ve fallen back to sleep and your alarm will start ringing again. Once you complete the Mimic and successfully dismissed your alarm, share your personalized results with your friends to show how you woke up and beat the clock.

See more here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.mimickeralarm&hl=en

Wireless Wednesday for 2/17/16 - Best New Sports Apps and Hyatt

**Quick talk about a recent article Rick brought to light:

Uninstalling Facebook app saves up to 15% of iPhone battery life

Facebook is one of the most downloaded apps on iOS but it has long been cited as a cause of fast-draining iPhone batteries. Last year it was accused of using background tricks to stay active even when it wasn’t being used. Facebook admitted bugs existed, and fixed them, but questions of the app’s impact on battery life remained.

Similar concerns about Facebook’s Android app led to the discovery that deleting the app saves up to 20% of a phone’s battery. It was also found that running Facebook in your browser also causes a drain. Facebook is a battery hog!
 
There are never a shortage of new sports apps.  Rick and Mitch take a look at some new sports apps this week. Have a listen:

1.  New Sports Illustrated App

Sports Illustrated App, a new place to connect with our audience while showcasing SI's unparalleled storytelling and reporting from our award-winning journalists. With all-new modes of personalization, a clean in-app navigation experience and distinct SI editorial curation—along with the scores, videos, notifications and up-to-the-minute news that sports fans want—we're excited to introduce this new product. Download the SI App for iOS and Android.

The app allows for personalization, so you can follow the sports and teams you want.

Pin live games as you browse the app: This first-of-its-kind feature allows users to pin the scoreboard of any game to the home screen to follow live action while simultaneously browsing the latest stories and headlines.

• The 10 Spot: A brand new editorially curated section that highlights the best of Sports Illustrated. Featuring original analysis, a unique editorial voice, plus iconic photography and videos handpicked by editors, the 10 Spot adds a distinct SI flavor to what's most important in sports right now.

The app will be continuously updated, featuring the addition of many more sports, expanded content and additional functionality.
 

2.   Tunity

Tunity: Ever been at a sports bar that’s so loud you can’t hear the game that’s playing on TV? Meet Tunity, the app that’s going to solve that problem. All you have to do is scan the TV and Tunity will provide the audio, so you can plug in your headphones or connect your phone to a bluetooth speaker.
Free on iOS and Android

 
3.  Grandstand

Free for your iOS device

 Grandstand: Grandstand gives you the real-life fan experience directly from the stands. Share and check out highlights with other fans, record videos for others if you’re physically at a game or check out what other people have uploaded for the ultimate sports experience.

 


4.  NASCAR Mobile

Follow the excitement of the 2016 NASCAR season with the Official App of NASCAR, and stay up to date on your favorite drivers with news, video and live race features.

Free Features:

- Live Race Leaderboards for all NASCAR Series
- Live Race Highlights for all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
- Exclusive News, Video and Social Media
- 2016 Schedule, Standings and Manufacturer Standings
- Customized Notifications including Series Specific Alerts and Live Event Reminders

Premium Live Features (Subscription Required; FREE with Sprint unlimited data plan):

- Live Customized Leaderboards
- Customized Leaderboards with exclusive data points to follow your Favorite Drivers
- Live Driver Audio
- Listen to the In-Race strategy between Drivers, Crew Chiefs and Spotters
- Exclusive to Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series races
- Live In-Car Cameras
- Follow the action from the driver seat with Live In-Car cameras
- Exclusive to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races only
- Live Broadcast Radio & Officials Radio
- Listen to the official NASCAR radio for every race of the season
- NASCAR Officials Radio is available for all Sprint Cup Series races
- Live Real-Time Track Position & Driver Telemetry
 

5.  Rio 2016

Rio 2016 launches new app with competition offering chance to win tickets to opening ceremony
Available for iOS and Android, new platform provides information about the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the chance to win prizes. Up to April 2016, there will be four one-month challenges offering prizes. The first is a photograph contest, already live, where participants are invited to share images that symbolise the Olympic and Paralympic spirit. Entrants who are over 18 can win pairs of tickets for the opening ceremony.

There is a special award for youngsters under 18: the best images will be evaluated by artist and photographer Vik Muniz – a well-known Brazilian name in the international art world and one of the creative directors for the Paralympic ceremonies – alongside writer Marcelo Rubens Paiva and designer Fred Gelli. The winning photographs will adorn the bedrooms of the athletes’ village.

 

App of the Week:

Hyatt Hotels App

 
Rick has been in Austin, TX the past 4 days staying at a couple Hyatts and trying out some of what Hyatt is offering it's guests, including an updated app.

See where Rick stayed:

Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and Spa

The Driskill

Connect to your destination with the new Hyatt Hotels app. Our app allows you to book and personalize your travel with ease:

• Explore and book over 550 Hyatt hotels globally
• Find hotels using your current location, or search by city, address or airport
• View and cancel reservations at any time
• Make reservations using Hyatt Gold Passport® points
• Save your Reservations and your Hyatt Gold Passport® details to Passbook
• Check-in before you arrive, check-out on the go
• Access photos, weather, local time, maps, and turn-by-turn directions to your Hyatt destination
• Join Hyatt Gold Passport® and easily access your account details and track your points
• Add favorite Hyatt hotels for quick and easy access

Using the Hyatt app, you can take advantage of Hyatt’s Best Rate Guarantee. With no booking fees, you can book any Hyatt brand including Park Hyatt, Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara, and get the best published rate available anywhere online.

See more about the Hyatt app here:  http://hyatt.com/mobile