Alexa can now arm your home security system — including Amazon’s Ring Alarm

https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2018/12/14/18141658/alexa-guard-amazon-home-security-ring-alarm-adt

The Best Password Managers

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-password-managers/amp/

Apple reveals the most popular iPhone apps of 2018 - Mashable

Apple reveals the most popular iPhone apps of 2018 - Mashable


https://apple.news/AxbJXufMCRmu84R_w-24lrg

How Ring's Neighbors app is making home security a social thing

https://www.cnet.com/google-amp/news/how-rings-neighbors-app-is-making-home-security-a-social-thing/

A dark matter hurricane is headed our way

https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/11/19/opinions/dark-matter-hurricane-headed-our-way-lincoln-opinion/

We Just Measured All The Starlight In The Universe, And It Spells Doom For Our Future

https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2018/11/29/we-just-measured-all-the-starlight-in-the-universe-and-it-spells-doom-for-our-future/

Chromebook? Here's Why You Should Always Shut It Down When You're Done

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinmurnane/2018/11/24/got-a-black-friday-chromebook-heres-why-you-should-always-shut-it-down-when-youre-done/amp/

What the Chromebook needs before it's going to be considered a real computer [Opinion]

I guess it has too many issues to be used easily for writing books and doing work.  It will let you acces the internet well.  But I get nervous about password storage on google files.  Hmm 🤔 

https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/11/12/chromebook-needs-considered-real-computer/

New iPhone, smart speaker Alexa, Apple Watch

Hi.   Just getting back to you about devices.   

Get the new iPhone XR which is $300 cheaper and has 90% of the same stuff as the XS — but has the bigger battery:

https://www.cnet.com/google-amp/news/iphone-xr-hands-on-colors-first-impression/

Also: get the Amazon echo dot which is cheap at $49 or get last years model for $39 (speaker isn't as good). Amazing tech voice driven like having a virtual assistant.  

All-new Echo Dot (3rd Gen) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Charcoal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792KTHKJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rURYBbV1W4DDB

New - TotalMount Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Hole-Free Wall Mount (Black) - Eliminates Need to Drill Holes in Your Wall https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JBHCHBS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kHRYBbG2CNJZM

Echo Dot (2nd Generation) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DFKC2SO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cDRYBb38MQBDV

I may try the Google Home device too which is a competitor but may have better search functionality.  

In general all of these smart speakers are really helpful to the elderly which is what we're fast becoming.   Try it, you'll like it.  Wonderful in bathroom when I'm taking a shower and want to listen to news or music and just call out commands!

Lastly I got the new latest Apple Watch ⌚️ which also has better health monitoring, fall detection, and automated emergency services calling if it detects that you fell and got hurt and are unresponsive.   You can also call emergency by holding down the side button, if you set that up.  Great stuff!

Enjoy!

Best,

Lee

Does iPhone speakerphone give you Apple Watch option?

If yes, this annoying feature is turned off by turning off handoff in Apple Watch app general:  

Android sounds technical, has baggage, and might be stale

https://9to5google.com/2018/10/11/the-dirty-word-android-dead-made-by-google/amp/

Best home security systems of 2018

https://www.techradar.com/news/best-home-security-system

The apple of Amazon’s eye is Alexa

https://qz.com/1341368/the-apple-of-amazons-eye-is-alexa/

Microsoft is Apple now

https://qz.com/1411866/microsoft-is-beating-apple-at-its-own-design-game/amp/

Google to allow Chrome users to disable controversial login feature following complaints

https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2018/9/26/17904762/google-chrome-sign-in-changes-feedback

Apple Watch’s new auto-911 calls after falls may tumble into legal trouble

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/09/how-the-new-apple-watch-will-call-911-after-a-fall-if-you-want-it-to/?amp=1

Are Apple's new iPhones SEXIST? Feminist campaigners slam firm for making devices that are 'too big for women to hold'

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article-6166429/New-iPhones-big-women-hold.html

Face ID is better!

https://gizmodo.com/apples-touch-id-is-probably-doomed-and-thats-okay-1806528982/amp

Apple iPhone upgrade program: Here's how it works

Sounds like this is much better than upgrades thru Verizon.  AppleCare is included in the monthly payment (otherwise have to pay $199 for XS or $149 for XR, others).  Plus you can easily upgrade at no cost after a year if you want.  Check out the helpful articles below.  

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/apple-iphone-upgrade-program-heres-how-it-works/

https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-upgrade-program-how-to-buy-2017-9

Don't be afraid to upgrade your old iPhone to iOS 12

https://www.engadget.com/amp/2018/09/18/apple-ios12-older-iphone-performance/

Apple's iOS 12 for iPhones and iPads is out now, here's how to install it

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2018/09/17/how-to-install-ios-12.html

Apple Watch Nike+? And how is it different to the standard Apple Watch?

https://www.pocket-lint.com/smartwatches/news/apple/139179-what-is-apple-watch-nike-plus-and-when-can-you-buy-it.amphtml

How far can you be from your phone with Apple Watch?

Traditional Bluetooth range is around 30-50 feet, but your Apple Watch has an advantage if your phone is connected to Wi-Fi. When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, your Watch will remain in contact with your phone anywhere in the building where you're covered by that network.

Amazon Echo Show: 10 essential tips

https://www.techhive.com/article/3302163/amazon-alexa/amazon-echo-show-10-essential-tips.amp.html

How to pick the cloud storage service that’s right for you

Hi Kay,

Ever wondered about the confusing cloud storage services and when/why to use them — Google, Apple, Amazon, Dropbox, Microsoft?  Here is an uncommonly good review of cloud storage services and features.  It's a little long but has great summary statements for each brand about how it compares to our needs.

Best,

Lee

https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2018/8/31/17796884/cloud-storage-service-google-drive-apple-icloud-microsoft-onedrive-dropbox-box-amazon

Family-billed-$13470-for-half-hour-of-iphone-internet

Watch out for roaming charges when you travel!

"So how can you stop apps from using data in the background? With an iPhone, go to settings, then look under Cellular Data, and switch the data use to the OFF position."

https://abc7news.com/amp/technology/san-jose-family-billed-$13470-for-half-hour-of-iphone-internet/4072186/

This is not your father's Microsoft

https://www.cnet.com/news/this-is-not-your-fathers-microsoft/

Why you can't buy every phone you want from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint

Why you can't buy every phone you want from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint


https://www.cnet.com/news/why-you-cant-buy-every-phone-you-want-from-at-t-verizon-t-mobile-and-sprint/

BEST PHONES FOR 2018

Customers buying new devices on Apple’s website can use a trade-in to instantly offset the cost

https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/09/apple-giveback-trade-in-iphone-ipad/amp/

Google Maps is almost perfect, so of course Google had to find a way to ruin it

https://bgr.com/2018/08/08/google-maps-features-ads-in-navigation-search-results/amp/