Wireless Wednesday for 3/12/14: With Mitch Evans - Sleep Awareness Week

Rick and Mitch look at some sleep apps and gadgets as it is National Sleep Awareness Week

In 2011, the National Sleep Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to wake "America to the importance of sleep," conducted a study that found a strong correlation between poor sleeping habits and the use of technology before bed. Out of the nearly 1,600 people polled, 63% said they had trouble sleeping. Coincidentally, 95% of the participants said they surfed the net, watched TV, or texted on their phone before going sleep. Watching TV and checking Twitter before bed may indeed inhibit your rest—but we've managed to find some pieces of technology made to help you get a great night's sleep.

Have a listen

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/12/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

 

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/12/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/12/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

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1.  Rise Alarm App  $2  iOS app

The Rise Alarm app is a gorgeous alarm clock that will help you get up during those groggy mornings when you absolutely have to use an alarm. It is designed to be easy: a simple swipe will turn off your alarm, one click and you can give yourself another five minutes of sleep.
Also, a variety of different alarms you can wake to.

 

2.   Philips Wake Up Light  $100

What's the most peaceful way to wake up? When the sunlight slowly peaks in through your curtains while it rises-not having an alarm startling you the first thing in the morning. The Philips Wake-Up Light is based on the concept of the sun rising: in the morning, the lamp's light increases its brightness to help you get out of bed, gently. It also has a clock radio to give you that extra push to get up.
 


3.  Chillow  $13   www.chillow.com

Get that cool side of the pillow with Chillow
The CHILLOW Cooling Pad continuously circulates water to absorb and release body heat. Once activated, the CHILLOW Cooling Pad allows you to customize your level of comfort from cool to coolest depending on your room temperature. Put in refrigerator to get to the temp you want

 
 

4.  Four Seasons Hotels will allow you to pick your own beds for your stay

Guests at the Four Seasons can now customise their bed and pillows to accommodate their sleep preferences.

Instead of complaining their bed's too soft or too hard, guests can order their mattress the way they like at Four Seasons locations across the US, in much the same way they can order a steak cooked to their personal preference.

Launched to coincide with World Sleep Day on March 14, the new service at the luxury hotel chain will allow guests to choose from three different levels of mattress firmness: Signature; Signature firm; for sleepers who prefer more support; and Signature plush who prefer sinking into their beds.

Guests can also choose between feather and non-allergenic pillows.

The Four Seasons Bed programme was developed in partnership with bed manufacturer Simmons, which also added a temperature-control feature that goes by the fancy name of “Gel Touch Foam Center” technology, which is supposed to absorb excess heat and ensure maximum comfort throughout the night.

The service will roll out systemwide over the next few years. Beds are also available for purchase.

5.  Jawbone Up! - improves sleep features

The Jawbone Up! has been one of my favorite fitness bands for years. Now it has improved the Jawbone Up app with additional sleep features.
UP 3.1 for iOS

Jawbone is also introducing the UP 3.1 app for iOS which now provides tailored insights around how sleep and activity affect one another, like every 30 minutes earlier you go to bed, you step 800 more steps per day.  

App of the Week  -   Oscar Mayer iPhone app and dongle accessory

An app you have to win.... and it produces a bacon smell
Oscar Mayer and an app?

That is what I was thinking as well, but this idea isn't a bunch of bologna.
A limited number of people will win a new Oscar Mayer iPhone dongle that for one, serves as an alarm clock, but also produces the smell of bacon to wake up to in the morning.
I'm already getting hungry.
The contest is part of the newly released Wake Up & Smell the Bacon iPhone app. It's all pretty cool as the alarm clock app makes sizzling sounds that will remind you of bacon cooking.
It may sound a little weird, but this is a great idea. Who wouldn't want to wake up to the smell and sound of bacon? It's the perfect promotion for a new app.
Oscar Mayer says it will pick 4,700 winners from all the enter that will receive the bacon-smell iPhone dongle. This could also end up being a valuable collector's item.
You can apply for the contest, and I recommend you do by going to WakeUpAndSmelltheBacon.com. Entries are accepted until April 4, 2014.
Hey there, it's time to wake up and smell the bacon and enter this contest!

Wireless Wednesday for 3/6/14: With Mitch Evans - Myrtle Beach and Computer Mistakes We All Make

Rick is in Myrtle Beach doing a few pieces on Myrtle Beach Golf  - their site www.GolfHoliday.com - a very cool website to plan golf and your trip to Myrtle Beach.

Despite all the advice available online, many of us make silly mistakes when using our computers. Don’t want to be caught acting like a complete newbie? Consult this list of usual slip-ups to avoid.

Have a listen to what ended up bing a "Tech Thursday" this week.

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/6/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/6/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/6/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

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1.  Using Pre-Installed Free Stuff - pre-installed software

Don’t get me wrong. Not all pre-installed applications are bad. But for some you may have no use and others may even turn out to be sub-standard and slow down your computer.

Checking your PC for each item you didn’t ask for will probably take you a while. But, this is the only way to make sure you get rid of everything you don’t want. Thankfully, there are some tools to help you with this process. One of these is PC Decrapifier.

2.   Default Installations and settings

Free software is often ad-supported and in many cases the installer comes bundled with additional products or ad-ware, which can slow down your computer. Thus, anytime you download a free Windows application, you must do a custom install. With a custom install, you can opt out of crapware, say a browser toolbar or another application. Check you default settings from time to time and make sure you are running your computer he way you want to.


3.  Not Restarting The Computer

Anytime you notice your Windows machine behaving weird for no clear reason, first try to reboot and see if that solves the problem. Rebooting is considered a cure-all of sorts that fixes a ton of problems. A few examples of problems that can be fixed with a simple reboot include; slow running, programs using too much memory, Internet or WiFi connection problems and the Windows blue screen of death.

 

4.  Back Up Data

There are many reasons for data loss, but some of the most common include: accidental deletion, hard disk damage or failure, viruses, power disruption and improper shutdown.

If you lost your data tomorrow, would you have backup copies of all your important documents? You need a rock solid backup strategy to mitigate the ever-present threat of data loss. There are several ways to backup your data. You can backup to an external hard drive, use a cloud storage service or a network drive. If using Windows 7, you can make use of the backup and restore feature while Windows 8 has a built-in time machine backup.

5. Failure to Keep Your Windows OS & Other Essential Software Up-To-Date

Always run updates

Developers roll out new updates for several reasons. The main ones include; rolling out new features, fixing bugs, patching security loopholes and making the system more secure. Failure to update your OS and essential software leaves you vulnerable to security breaches. The best way to ensure you do not forget to update Windows is to turn on automatic updating.

In Windows 7, go to Control Panel > System and Security >Action Center. Under Windows Update, click Change Settings and select the ‘Install updates automatically’ option. In Windows 8, click or tap Settings > PC Settings > Update and Recovery. Under Recommended Updates select the “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” check box, and click Apply.

 

6.  Using Internet Explorer

- Don't Use It!
Internet Explorer is the default browser on almost all new PCs. Don't use it! Internet Explorer is the most common point of entry for spyware. Even on a fully updated install of Windows, many websites can install spyware AUTOMATICALLY.

The solution is simple: just download and use a different web browser. We like Mozilla Firefox (free download), and Opera is also good (and free). You can visit all the same websites with Mozilla Firefox without having to worry about spyware. However, please note Firefox won't remove spyware or in any way actively protect your PC; it is simply a safe way of viewing websites.
 


App of the Week  -  MLB At Bat updated for 2014

I recommend this app every year.

MLB At Bat has a new look to millions of mobile devices everywhere, in time for this week's start of Spring Training exhibitions.

The highest-grossing sports app five years running was launched by Major League Baseball Advanced Media for the iPhone, iPad, supported Android smartphones and tablets, Amazon Kindle Fire and BlackBerry 10. A Windows Phone 8 version of At Bat is expected to be available in March. Look for the update if you haven't already.

At Bat, which has been available since it became one of the original 500 apps to launch with the Apple App Store on July 10, 2008, was downloaded a record 10 million times in 2013. That was a 45-percent increase over the previous year.

For the third year, MLB.TV Premium subscribers again will receive At Bat for free, unlocking the app's premium feature set. MLB.TV Premium is $129.99 a year or $24.99 a month, and signups are underway. Fans also may subscribe to At Bat for the one-time annual fee of $19.99, covering the entire season. iOS users may pay $2.99 a month with the recurring billing offering.

With an At Bat subscription, you get multi-platform live audio access for portability to take home, away and Spanish-language audio feeds to desktop and laptop computers. You also can have full premium feature access across all support iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Spring Training features
Tuesday's 2014 launch is just the start, as a further At Bat Opening Day update will be coming in March. You can watch more than 200 Spring Training games live with an MLB.TV Premium subscription (iPhone, iPad, select Android phones & tablets, Kindle Fire, BlackBerry 10).

In addition, all the supported devices will let you: listen live to all available Spring Training radio broadcasts; track league-wide scoreboards and batter-by-batter action for every exhibition; get breaking news, schedules and interactive rosters and players stats for every team; and check full-season schedule calendars.

 

Wireless Wednesday for 2/26/14: With Mitch Evans - High Tech Shoes and the Oscars

On the heels of Nike Announcing self-tying laces last week, and tons of new shoes introduced so far in 2014, shoes have gone high tech with tech accessories and the shoes themselves.

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/26/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/26/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/26/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

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1.  Nike's Marty McFly's self-tying sneaker will hit the streets next year to mark the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future

Nike has announced the power-laces that tightened up Marty McFly's hi-tops in Back to the Future Part II will become a reality by 2015.

The character played by Michael J Fox in the 1985 installment of the trilogy sported a pair of Nike trainers as he skateboarded around Hill Valley.

But when the time-travelling teenager arrives 30 years in the future in Part II, released in 1989, the brand had made a few changes.

Fans of the film gawked at the grey trainers that automatically tightened and adjusted to fit his feet.
But it was the self-trying "power laces" that made cinema-goers gasp and the fantasy footwear became part of cinema history.

Until now.

Designer Tinker Hatfield has confirmed the power laces will arrive to mark the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future and the year the second film was set in.

Speaking to Sole Collector at the Jordan Brand Flight Lab in New Orleans, Hatfield said: "Are we gonna see power laces in 2015?

"To that I say yes!"

Hatfield has not revealed what shoe the power laces will come with yet.

In 2011, Nike created 1,500 limited edition pairs of the MAG hi-tops, an exact replica of Marty's trainers, and each pair was auctioned on eBay.
 



2.   Nike Hyperdunk

Cost $190 and hit stores last year. The first training shoes that work on the Nike+ system will be the Lunar Hyper Workout+ for women and the Lunar TR 1+ for men.

The Nike Hyperdunk iD Basketball Shoe features Dynamic Flywire for support and super-lightweight Lunarlon cushioning tuned specifically for basketball. Customize yours with glow-in-the-dark features, a can't-miss midsole graphic and an outsole to match your playing surface.

Flywire

Flywire helps provide ultra-lightweight support and comfort for your foot. It gets its strength from thin nylon fibers strategically placed on the upper of the shoe to hold the foot in place, helping to reduce slippage during activity. This allows for a massive reduction in weight because material is used only where it’s needed for structure

 

3.   New Balance Now Makes Golf Shoes

New Balance Minimus - $99.95

New Balance Golf shoes are back in a minimal package. These golf shoes feature a new dual density molded spikeless outsole for superior traction and a REVlite midsole for lightweight cushioning. The New Balance NBG1001 Minimus Sport features a water resistant mesh upper with a new supportive stability cage. The NB Minimus Golf 1001 is believed to be the lightest golf shoe on the market today. Colors: Light Grey + Lime Green + Black

 

4.  High Tech Adidas running shoes-

Adidas Energy Boost -$150
Adidas launched this shoe with Energy Boost cushioning material,it was with a star-studded press event that boasted of “a revolution in running” and of “changing running forever.” The new, high-tech material replaces the industry-standard EVA foam that makes up the shoe’s midsole. According to the company, Boost foam, which is made with tiny “energy capsules,” both cushions your foot on the down stride and provides a “maximum energy return”  giving you a, um, boost that should improve performance. It’s also supposed to last longer without wearing down, and is temperature-resistant.

 


5.  High Tech casual shoes

InStep Nanopower- create energy as you walk

 I'm shocked that scientists have not thought of this before, but they are finally here: the InStep Nanopower Shoes that create electricity while you walk. Using liquid metal, the shoes can create about 10 to 20 watts of power.

The best part is that you can use that power to charge some of the technological gadgets that you have on you all the time, like your cell phone and iPod.

Researchers Tom Krupkin and J. Ashley Taylor at UW-Madison have been working on the InStep Nanopower Shoes using a process called reverse electrowetting.

The way these shoes work is simple: liquid metal is stored in pouches located in the heel and sole of the shoe and as you walk, you start pumping nano-sized drops of the metal through tiny channels, creating electricity. The electricity is stored in a battery at the center of the shoe, which you can then use to charge whatever you may need.


 


App of the Week  - Official Oscars App

Rick won't be watching, many will be - Probably Wendy....

The Oscars are back! Get the official Oscars app for iPhone, iPad, iTouch, Android devices and Kindle Fire to stay up-to-date on all things leading up to the 85th Academy Awards. During Oscar season, access complete nominee lists, trailers, buzz worthy videos, photos, news, Red Carpet, backstage, and more.
 

Wireless Wednesday for 2/19/14: With Mitch Evans - Travel Apps and the IRS

Rick is on the road this week over at Reynold's Plantation in Greensboro, GA.  With the spring travel season coming up, we'll take a look at Rick's favorite travel apps and why you need to have then on your smartphone or tablet.

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/19/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/19/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/19/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

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Show notes

1.   Tripit  -  Travel Organization app

When it comes to travel planning, Tripit it won't suggest destinations for you, or help you plan the best possible way to spend your time in town wherever you go, but what TripIt does offer is a complete, hassle free way to combine all of your travel confirmations, itineraries, tickets, hotel bookings, rental car reservations, and the rest in one simple view. That view then becomes the central hub for all of your travel needs—no more fishing for a confirmation email to get your reservation number, or wondering what flight number you're on before you check in; it's all right there, and it's all incredibly handy. It'll even let you know if there's a better seat on your flight so you can switch to it
Don't leave home without Tripit

 

2.  Flyer's Rights app   costs .99

Did you know that airlines are no longer legally allowed to keep you trapped on the tarmac for more than three hours during a domestic flight delay? If you had the Flyers Rights app, you would. Plus, you'd be able to log your delays in real time, using the app's GPS system and map for future evidence. The app also gives helpful tips about what to do in the event of a delay, and specific information about your legal rights as a passenger.

3.   Expedia   -  helps you find hidden deals

Available on: Android, iOS, Windows 8 and RT, Web
Expedia has been long known as a travel search, information, and booking website, but its mobile apps have some unique deals. Using the Expedia iPhone app or Expedia Android app, for example, you're likely to uncover a few mobile-exclusive discounts on last-minute hotel bookings, in addition to having at your fingertips all the usual flight and hotel search functionality. I also like that you can sort reviews by "recent," "favorable," and "critical" to see if people tend to have consistent feedback or whether the cranky pants guests had too-high expectations.

 
Available on: Android, iOS, Windows 8 and RT, Web

4.    Kayak  - an aggregator

Travel search website Kayak.com quickly became a favorite site for finding the best deals on flights in particular when it finally started to incorporate booking services. In its early days, Kayak only handled search (although it was one of the best at that end of the game), but now you can pre-pay for flights, hotel reservations, and even car rentals. Occasionally, Kayak sends you to a partner site to finish the booking process, but less and less so every day. Additionally, Kayak includes in its searches other aggregation services, like Orbitz and Priceline, to truly make sure you find the best deal.
Available on: Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone, and Web

 
 
5. Next Flight ($2.99)  A little pricey, but could be well worth the $2.99

Next Flight can be worth its weight in gold during a snowstorm, or icestorm likw the South has last week. Whether your flight is canceled, delayed, or you just missed a connection, this app will show you a list of all available flights (from all carriers) for the same day and the next two days. While everyone else is waiting in line trying to get the gate agent to put them on standby, you can help yourself! No flights going out at all? The app also has a search for hotels, cabs, and car rentals.

 


App of the Week  -    IRS2Go    -  

The IRS now has their own official app  as tax season i rearing its ugly head.

IRS2Go is an IRS-developed app designed to help taxpayers in several ways. The app lets taxpayers check on the status of their refund, sign up for helpful tax tips or get the most recent IRS Twitter feeds. Download IRS2Go, then connect with the IRS whenever you want, wherever you are.

 

Wireless Wednesday for 2/12/14: With Mitch Evans - Valentine's Day Tech Gifts and BloKO

 Forget the chocolate and the flowers, Rick says a tech gadget makes a great Valentine's Day gift.  Is he right?  Three great gifts from Zagg.com and a couple more that won't break the bank.
Also, how is Rick dealing with the ice storm?????

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/12/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/12/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/12/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

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1.   iFrogz Chemistry iPhone Case ($24.99)

You may not be breaking any hearts this Valentine's Day, but statistics say that every 3.6 seconds, someone in the world drops their iPhone, which could cause it to break. In addition, one-third of new iPhone users say they have dropped their new iPhone within five minutes after taking it out of the box.  Gives new meaning to the term "call drops." Protect your iPhone and give it a Valentine's Day theme with the iFrogz Chemistry iPhone case available at Zagg.com.

 
2.  iFrogz BoostPlus Near Field Audio Speaker ($59.99)

A new take on a speaker for your iPhone and the sound is unreal. Audiophiles will love this portable and available in pink or red, the BoostPlus Near Field Audio Speaker. It allows allows you to play your music anywhere and it runs on AA batteries or a USB power connection. You put your iPhone face-up on the speaker and it will amplify your music to fill the room. Perfect for some Valentine's Day love songs.

3. iFrogz Coda Forte Bluetooth Headphones ($99.99)

iFrogz has been producing quality products for many years and that is why Zagg.com sells a ton of them. Here is what is sure to be another bestseller.  These very lightweight iFrogz Coda Forte Bluetooth headphones not only come in an attractive pink color, but they are comfortable and you will enjoy flawless sound. You get 12 hours on a single charge and you can even take calls and talk on the built-in microphone.  They can also be used when plugged in with a wire connection, but Bluetooth is the way to go.  Again avaialble in time for Valentine's Day at Zagg.com.

 
4.  Datawind Ubislate 7C Android Tablet ($37.99)

Yes, a tablet for $37.99
Do you know someone looking to get into the tablet universe but they aren't quite sure if a $500-$700 device is going to be worth the investment? Well, you can impress your special someone with a new Android tablet that runs all of the Android apps, has a microSD expansion slot that allows expansion up to 32GB and a nice 7-inch multitouch screen. It has a front-facing camera and decent sound if you plug in headphones or earbuds. Take a look for $37.99 at www.datawind.com.

5. Vacuum Insulated Tumbler Thermos ($22.88) on Amazon

The Sipp Thermos line combines sleek style with unique functional features

TherMax double-wall vacuum insulation is designed to keep liquids hot for 5 hours and cold for 9 hours

Crafted with an unbreakable stainless-steel interior and exterior, the tumbler is made to endure

Eastman Tritan lid is BPA free and has a built- in tea hook for tea bags or most loose-leaf infusers

Leak-proof lid with one-hand push-button operation; holds up to 16 ounces; cleans safely and easily in the dishwasher

 
App of the Week  -    Blocko

Block those sports - and in these two weeks- Winter Olympics spoliers from invading your social media streams