Wireless Wednesday for 10/28/15: - iOS 9 and Windows 10 Tricks

Rick is in Macon, GA all this week once again. He is the media coordinator for the Tennis Classic of Macon, a women's professional tennis tournament- think of it as the Triple-A of the tennis circuit. It's a stone's throw away from the big tennis tours. You find young players, former college All-Americans and come veteran pros working their way up the rankings. Rick is there for all 9 days of the play and the action is taking place at the tennis center at Mercer University.

We may have talked "Halloween Gadgets" last week on Wireless Wednesday, but this week we are going to talk some operating systems "tricks" that can be a "treat" for gadget users.

Have a listen:

iOS Tricks

1.  Audio App on the Home Screen

Maybe you’ve noticed a little icon on the home screen when you upgraded to iOS 9. Well it turns out that this icon is the last audio app that played after plugging in your headphones. This is a small upgrade, but actually can save you time when trying to access whatever you were last listening to. Perhaps the coolest thing about this feature is that it’s location specific. Basically, if you listen to Spotify at work  or maybe SportsRadio 92.9 The Game on TuneIn Radio, the lock screen will reflect that depending on where you are. If you want to access your last played audio, swipe up on the icon to open up the app.

2. You Can Extend Battery Life with 'Low Power Mode'

While you have a new way to view battery life, more importantly, you now have a way to extend it. By using Low Power Mode, you can get up to an additional three hours of use from your iPhone.

According to Apple, the new Low Power mode disables background features not needed for basic functionality, and in turn, provide up to 3 more hours of battery life. If that's true, it'll be a darn-impressive feat.
 

3. Ask Siri to do math for You

Siri now performs mathematical equations and unit conversions all on her own in iOS 9. Answers now show natively in a smaller results panel, without all the extra information that shows up in iOS 8.
 

- Windows 10 Tricks

1. New Web Browser "Edge"

The new Edge browser is also one of the first examples of Microsoft’s new Universal Apps Platform, an app that will work on any version of Windows 10 with a GUI — desktop, mobile, even Xbox One.

It comes with access to Cortana, Microsoft’s new voice-recognition digital assistant, but the most obvious addition is the ‘inking’ feature, which allows you to draw, highlight and annotate right on the webpage.
You can then share your ‘web notes’ with others via social networking or save them as favorites within the browser.

Apart from sharing your Web Notes, a new feature built into Windows 10 Preview Build 10158 is the ability to send them to OneNote, Microsoft’s note-taking app available in this preview.
One last surprising but welcome new feature will be Edge’s faster update schedule — Microsoft is calling it ‘regular’, which will make a nice change from previous efforts.

 


2.  Save maps for offline use

This is a tip that’s more useful on smartphones, but tablets and laptops can benefit from it as well: Windows 10 lets you save maps to your device in case you should lose a Wi-Fi or data connection while you’re trying to scout out the nearby area. Head to the Settings app then choose System and Offline maps to choose which maps to download (each region comes with an estimate of how much storage space will be taken up). You can then launch and use the Maps app whether or not you can get online.
 

3.  Sync your Windows experience to other PCs

Like Windows 8, Windows 10 lets you sync various parts of your Windows experience — such as your desktop wallpaper and online passwords – between computers, as long as you use the same Microsoft account to sign in with. From the Settings app choose Accounts and then Sync your settings: the subsequent screen lets you turn syncing on and off and choose the data that’s included. If you have multiple Windows PCs in multiple locations (eg at home and in the office) it’s one way of keeping a consistent experience across them all.

App of the Week:

1Blocker for iOS  (Free for iOS)

The ability to block certain online content is a major highlight of iOS 9. Apple is giving developers the option to build ad-blocking and tracker-blocking extensions on Safari websites. 1Blocker is designed to give you control over the content you see. In doing so, it cuts down on Web page loading time and decreases the average of total downloaded data by 50%, its website reports. 1Blocker has 7,000 pre-installed blockers for ads, tracking scripts, widgets, comments, and other online content.

After downloading, go to Settings > Safari > Content blockers to activate 1Blocker.
 

Wireless Wednesday for 10/21/15: Halloween Gadgets

Boo!

Halloween is just over a week away.

Rick and Mitch take a look at some hot Halloween Gadgets and Tech for 2015....

Have a listen:

1.  The Snake Wreath  -  Perfect for your front door

This wreath of slithering tangled snakes comes to life when visitors approach. Price: Merely $29

 
2. Professional Pumpkin Carving Set

$19.95 at www.ChefsResource.com

 Carve spooky or silly pumpkins like a professional with the carving knife, etching tool, and culinary scoop. Use the professional-quality culinary scoop with toothed-edge to remove seeds and pulp from the insides of your jack-o-lantern-to-be. The etching tool is great for carving grooves and designs into the outside of the pumpkin. The carving knife is great for detail work and edges.

 

3. Fox/Wolf Costume Mask   $50

www.geniegadgets.com

A mask so realistic, people will be amazed.

More realistic than we could possibly describe in these next four pulsating paragraphs (we’re still not entirely sure that it isn’t just a very still fox in a box), the Mr Fox Costume Mask will see you go down into fancy dress folklore should you don it to one of your infamous parties. Its outrageous appearance means that this will be one costume that your friends simply won’t be able to forget in a hurry, no matter how hard they try.

Terrifyingly entertaining, the Mr Fox Costume Mask makes the perfect fancy dress idea, and not just because of its worryingly accurate resemblance to its real-life equivalent. With its unique integrated speaker, the Mr Fox Costume Mask’s mouth even moves when you talk meaning this is one costume that delivers on both practicality and laughs.
 

4.   Misting Witch's Cauldron

Halloween traditionalists will love this smoking cauldron, and it’s a deal at $35 at retail and novelty stores. The gadget mixes plain water and LED lights to make a steaming tabletop display. Best of all, no dry ice is needed.
 

5. Download a free FLASHLIGHT app, like the iHandy Flashlight app

So your child’s device can be turned into a bight light and used for easy navigation.
The brightest, fastest, and most versatile flashlight in the world, ever! Instantly turn on the camera light, and then leisurely enjoy 60+ light effects in the pro version for .99.

 

6.  Fugoo Bluetooth Speaker

www.fugoo.com

Need a weatherproof Bluetooth speaker to play Halloween music or those scary and spooky sounds?

You don’t worry about getting your hair wet. Neither should your portable speaker. Introducing FUGOO Sport - the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker that was built for the fun, fast, and hardcore in all of us. FUGOO’s 40-hour battery life and Siri/Google Capabilities puts the ultimate in audio technology at your fingertips all day, all night, and then some.
 


App of the Week:

(Android or iOS)

See the latest weather for Halloween with Weatherlink...
* Crowdsourced weather info
View current weather data, and highs and lows for the day, month, and year with the FREE WeatherLink application for Android by Davis.

This free application for Android shows current and historical data from the WeatherLink.com website. It's a free download from Google Play. Just search for "WeatherLink" and download the free application today.

A growing new trend, and it's amazing how easy it has become for people to share their own personal weather station information and forecasts from their home stations.
 The Weatherlink network is free to the public to access so anybody can go to the map (see the link below) and see what the latest conditions in their area are. There are over 20,000 people sharing this information on http://www.weatherlink.com/map.php

Wireless Wednesday for 10/14/15: Back to the Future Tech

Rick has been in Jacksonville, FL the last 4 days getting the low down on the upcoming Georgia/Florida weekend and then come January, the TaxSlayer Bowl... Jacksonville offers more than The Landing... . it's a cultural, business and entertainment center of North Florida and of course all the sports...

With the Cubs still alive in the MLB Playoffs and maybe heading to the World Series

October 21, 2015. That’s the date Doc Brown punches into his time-travelling DeLorean in Back to The Future II, the 1989 sequel that promised viewers a near-future of flying cars, hoverboards and self-lacing shoes. And with the famous date fast approaching, a surprising amount of director Robert Zemeckis’s vision is becoming a reality.

Heck even the Cubs are in the playoffs....   Here s what has come true from the "Back to the Future" movies...

Universal intends to re-release the entire trilogy in selected cinemas on 21 October. Amazon Prime is streaming the films.

 
Have a listen as Rick and Mitch talk "Back to the Future" in both parts.

1.  PepsiCo announced that it would launch a limited edition line of “Pepsi Perfect” bottles

On 21 October, just like the one Marty McFly buys on the same day at the diner in Back to the Future II. The firm intends to make just 6,500 of the collectible bottles, to be sold online while stocks last. “Perfect” label aside, the 16.9oz of sugary drink inside the bottle will be plain old regular Pepsi, and the price will be a less-than-perfect $20.15.
 


2.  Multi-Screen TV's

First we had "Picture in a Picture" TV's now we have big screen HDTVs that can be broken down to watch smaller screens and multi channels.  This was a pipe dream back in 1985.

 

3.  Hoverboards

We've talked hoverboards before

Tech startup Arx Pax intends to ship the first of its real-life hoverboards later this month. Development of the Hendo Hoverboard was funded on Kickstarter last year, to the tune of $510,590, and the first 11 people to receive their boards will be those who pledged $10,000 or more to the campaign. The device reportedly works using magnetic-levitation, with four disc-like “hover engines” on its underside.
 


4.  Phone Glasses  -  Similar to our Google Glass

 
5. Auto Drying Clothes

New Dri-Fit technology from companies like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour produce apparel that not only keeps athletes cool in the hot weather but almost absorbs sweat instantaneous and stays dry even in rain and when it gets wel.  We don't even have to talk to it and tell it to dry like McFly did.

 
6. Thumb Recognition Technology

We use it everyday on our iPhones

 

App of the Week:

Google Play Music - which is more than likely preinstalled on your device. But what about new stuff?

In the past if you wanted to listen to new music and you didn't want to pay for it you would listen to the radio. Many Android phones and tablets have a built-in FM radio, and you simply plug in a pair of headphones to act as the aerial. There are also online radio services - one of our favourites is BBC iPlayer Radio.

Google Music service.
Listen to your fvorite songs, artists, or albums, or browse by genre, mood, activity, decade, and more. Bring your own music collection with you by uploading 50,000 of your own songs.

 

Wireless Wednesday for 10/7/15: Fire Prevention Week and Month

October is "Fire Prevention Month" and the coming week is "Fire Prevention Week"

The theme for 2015 is: Hear The Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!

Home fires facts:

- Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Only one in five home fires were reported during these hours.
- One quarter of home fire deaths were caused by fires that started in the bedroom. Another quarter resulted from fires in the living room, family room or den.
 - Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
- 156,600 cooking-related fires between 2007-2011, resulting in 400 civilian deaths, 5,080 civilian injuries and $853 million in direct damage.

Rick and Mitch look at some Fire Prevention Week gadgets:

1. FIRST ALERT LCDI Safety Extension Cord, Protected with Fire Shield

Many fires start with cords and outlets

3-Outlet, 6-Feet,  Cord Fire Protection Senses damage caused by overload, overheating, pinching or aging and shuts off the power
Disconnects power in 25/1000 of a second if a dangerous condition is detected
UL listed and CSA Certified
Built-in Fire protection Specifically shielded Conductors
6' 16 Gauge 2 wire Avg 3 0utlet Cord.. all for $14.99

 
2. Childproof Lighters

Kids love fire. Having lighters around can be dangerous, especially with young children who haven’t had enough time to absorb your fire prevention talks. Invest in a few childproof lighters, which require extra coordination to light. Always keep fire-starters far out of children’s reach. A great buy for about $5.

 

3.  MAX 1 by MAX SmartHome
www.maxsmarthome.com

It is the only product of its kind that listens for existing smoke and fire alarms and supplements those alerts with the additional lower frequency sounds and lights.

Simply put, the MAX 1 is an all in one safety and security gadget that plugs into any outlet in your home and listens for your existing smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm.

If it hears your existing alarm go off, it sounds its own alarm - both the high frequency and low frequency alarm - to ensure that everyone wakes up. This could even mean a dog starts barking to wake the family up.

 


4.  Sooner Alarms

A company that is revolutionizing home fire safety with brand new products that detect fires at their source.
Traditional smoke detectors can't be placed where a fire is likely to start, because they will melt before they go off. We don't think you should have to settle for outdated detectors that alert you only after a fire has spread and the room is filled with smoke—because when it comes to fire safety, we all know that seconds matter.

And Sooner is safer. We work with fire safety experts to understand the problem and develop solutions that give people a new way to protect their homes and families. The result is our patented proximity sensor technology, a targeted approach that detects heat at the source of a fire, sending a wireless signal to a remote alarm that notifies you immediately—so you can limit property damage and get your family out of harm's way.
 

5. Fire Escape Ladder

Don't laugh. If you have second- or third-floor bedrooms in your home, fire escape ladders are a must. These lightweight, handy ladders fold up when not in use, but are easy to attach to any window for a safe, fall-free climb out a window if fire were to strike during sleeping hours. Be sure to purchase one for every bedroom.
The X-IT 2 Story (13') Emergency Fire Escape Ladder may be about $80, but it could be a lifesaver.

 
Other products to consider..
-
- fireproof safe
- and new fire extinguisers

**

App of the Week:

eBaum's Daily Digest

Free For iOS
If you are one of the millions of fans that love everything about eBaum's World, the popular humor website for pictures, videos and current events coverage, you are in for a treat, and it isn't even Halloween yet. For more than 10 years, eBaum's World had brought hilarity and a diversion from everyday life to people around the world with satire and a unique take on the daily news.

Now in app form, eBaum's Daily Digest is a new way for fans to follow the funny articles, pictures and videos right on their iPhone or iPad. eBaum is famous for their "before and after" pictures, disgusting videos and contests. In October, the Halloween costume pictures are always a hit. iPhone users can get all of this and more by downloading the app now in the iOS App Store. New content is added daily, so it's always fresh.

“We’ve designed eBaum’s Daily Digest with the ultimate user experience in mind. We wanted to offer an app different from the web version, but keep similar content that our user base has grown to love over the years”, states CEO of eBaum’s World, Ori Elraviv . “The simplicity of the interface and rapid discovery for new videos, images and viral content, is sure to be a hit with both the original fan base from eBaum’s World and the younger generation who is more app savvy.”
 

Wireless Wednesday for 9/30/15: The New iPhones and Hot Holiday Gifts

The new iPhones came out last Friday and report say there have been 13 million iPhone 6s and 6s Plus units sold.

What's different about the "6s" models?

Like every other "S" year, the new 6S and 6S Plus look the same as 2014's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models -- until you start touching them. But the changes underneath are plentiful: new front and rear cameras, upgraded processors and RAM, always-on Siri, and -- most importantly -- a pressure-sensitive "3D Touch" screen similar to the Force Touch screen on Apple Watch, giving you contextual options depending how hard you press the display.

Things to consider:

1. There is a new color now, called rose gold (it basically looks like a blush pink, same as the new Apple Watch cole

2. 3D Touch, and a faster processor all combine to keep the next-generation phone looking competitive enough to counter other top-tier handsets as we approach the year-end holiday rush.

3.  Made stronger. They call it Series 7,000, and it's the same aluminum alloy Apple puts into its Apple Watch Sport.

4. Improved camera and thumbprint reader

---  Expected Hot Gadgets for the holiday season

Have a listen:

1.  Flat Screen HDTVs for $75?

Yes, doorbusters this year could have 32" HDTVs for as low as $75

2.  Apple Watch  - Many have put off buying the Apple Watch until the holiday season
 No other device is going to gather a crowd of people around when worn in public—and it’s not just due to the hype. The design of the Apple Watch is fantastic and immediately iconic, not unlike what Apple has done time and time again with its new product launches. The Apple Watch has a long way to go in terms of realizing the dream of a smartwatch that actually earns its spot on your wrist.

 
3. Virtual Reality Headsets

Occulus and Samsung are openly hoping it becomes one of the year’s hot gift items. Samsung opens the platform up to anyone who owns one of Samsung’s four new flagship phones: the Galaxy Note 5, the Galaxy S6, the Galaxy S6 Edge, and the Galaxy 6S Edge+. And at $99, it’s selling at half the price of the Innovator Edition.
 


App of the Week:

Jackpot app

Playing the lottery in New York just got even easier than “a dollar and a dream” for millions of iPhone users — and the timing couldn’t be better.

With the Powerball jackpot at $301 million and climbing, a new app for Apple’s iOS devices is eliminating the need to stop by the corner store to buy a ticket.

The Jackpocket app, whose release will be announced Monday, allows users to simply tap and swipe their smartphone screens to play Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto and three other games.

The Soho-based company behind the software expects its app to “significantly increase” this week’s sales of Powerball tickets and boost the pot even higher ahead of Wednesday’s drawing.

Jackpocket founder Pete Sullivan said his target market was people in their 20s and 30s, especially women “who are intimidated to walk into a bodega.”

A credit card is kept on file and winnings up to $600 get credited to your account