Niche streaming services are taking on Netflix and Amazon by going after sci-fi fans and Broadway lovers

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2018/12/27/how-niche-streaming-services-compete-against-netflix-and-amazon.html

5 free plugins that make Netflix so much better

https://bgr.com/2018/12/28/best-netflix-movies-2018-plugins-top-5-secret-categories-stop-autoplay/amp/

Windows is coming to your Chromebook

https://www.zdnet.com/google-amp/article/windows-is-coming-to-your-chromebook/

Smartphones in 2018: The biggest winners and losers

https://www.cnet.com/news/smartphones-in-2018-the-years-biggest-winners-and-losers/

Netflix releases interactive episode of TV show 'Black Mirror'

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2018/12/28/netflix-releases-bandersnatch-interactive-episode-of-black-mirror.html

The Echo Wall Clock is terrific!

https://theinventory.com/i-hate-how-much-i-like-amazons-echo-wall-clock-1831322467/amp

GEAR OF THE YEAR: ALL THE BEST STUFF FROM 2018

https://www.wired.com/story/gear-of-the-year-2018/amp

My Must-Have iOS Apps, 2018 Edition

https://www.macstories.net/stories/my-must-have-ios-apps-2018-edition/

Free Chrome extension that fixes the worst thing about Netflix

Works when using chrome browser...

https://bgr.com/2018/12/20/netflix-stop-auto-preview-autoplay-videos/amp/

New Echo Wall Clock has arrived $29

https://9to5mac.com/2018/12/19/amazon-echo-wall-clock-review/amp/

Google isn’t the company that we should have handed the Web over to

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/12/the-web-now-belongs-to-google-and-that-should-worry-us-all/?amp=1

Why every super paranoid internet user needs a cheap Chromebook

https://mashable.com/article/cheap-chromebook-perfect-paranoid-user.amp

How to use Alexa Routines to make your Amazon Echo even smarter

https://www.techhive.com/article/3327501/speakers/how-to-use-alexa-routines.amp.html

RING ALARM REVIEW: SIMPLE, CHEAP HOME SECURITY

https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/3/17530782/ring-alarm-security-system-smart-home-review-price-features?_gl=1*uoxdnc*

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

RING ALARM REVIEW: SIMPLE, CHEAP HOME SECURITY

https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/3/17530782/ring-alarm-security-system-smart-home-review-price-features?_gl=1*uoxdnc*

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/