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05 Jul 2017

IoT Wearables and Your Health

The boom in wearable devices has accelerated alongside the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) within the smart home.

Tech Republic predicts there will be 780 million wearable devices by the end of 2018.

If you haven’t encountered wearable devices yet, they often take the form of smartwatches or fitness trackers like the FitBit. They track the health and physical progress of the wearer.

They sound futuristic, but wearable technology isn’t new. The calculator wrist watch appeared in the 1970s. Steve Mann introduced the wearable webcam in 1994 – decades before GoPro made wearable cameras popular.

The Nike+iPod emerged in 2006, which saw a user’s movements synced to the music on their iPod. Google Glass first appeared in 2011, and both the Apple Watch and FitBit arrived in just the past few years.

But, when you consider the advancement in wearables combined with the latest in IoT technology, the future looks exciting and the possibilities are almost endless.

Let’s take a look at what’s in store when it comes to wearables and your health.

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28 Jun 2017

Is Technology Making People Less Social?

Following the growth of the Internet of Things, and the general boom in technology available to the public, more people question the impact technology has on the way society works.

95% of Americans now own a smartphone. 96% of Americans shop online, meaning fewer opportunities to chat with neighbors or take part in the local community. Concerns around privacy, and the inability to touch or handle items, still prompt shoppers to visit physical stores.

Such double-sided concerns beg the question – is technology making people less social?

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21 Jun 2017

­How Has Lighting Changed Our Lives?

To celebrate Summer Solstice this year, let’s take a look at how lighting has changed our lives.

It’s June 21st – the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. After today, the days grow shorter as we roll through the fall and into winter.

If you stop and think about it, though, you’ll realize summer has barely started.

The thought of shorter days and losing sunlight can get you down in the dumps, but with the huge advances in lighting technology, we’re never truly in the dark.

With daylight on our minds, let’s take a look at how lighting has changed our lives.

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14 Jun 2017

How Big is the IoT Going to Get?

It’s 2017 and there’s no doubt – the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technology is here to stay, and it’s only going to get bigger.

Many commentators note the Gartner estimate that 20.8 billion connected things will be in use worldwide by 2020. That’s everything from smart light bulbs to smart irrigation systems – in less than 3 years.

The predicted growth of the IoT lies within the consumer market. Gartner predicts 63% of the overall number of devices in use will be among consumers. But is that all the IoT will be good for? Is there more to the IoT than smart kettles and home security systems?

Let’s have a look at how big the Internet of Things can get.

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07 Jun 2017

10 Top Apps You Need This Summer

As the weather heats up, we are here to keep you cool with the 10 top apps that you need this summer.

Smartphones have become integrated into modern life. A dizzying array of apps can turn your phone into a media center, a research tool, or a party planning station.

There were 2.8 million apps in the Google Play Store in March 2017, and Apple users had 2.2 million apps to choose from. With all of those apps at your fingertips, how do you know which ones to install?

Since summer is fast approaching we’ve collected the top 10 apps you should check out before summer is here.

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31 May 2017

A Guide to Using Kodi Safely

Thinking about using Kodi for streaming? Before you do, make sure to read this guide to stay safe.

If you’ve looked into media streamers lately, then you’ve probably come across Kodi. Maybe you’re not entirely sure what it is, but it sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

Access to network television, pay-per-view sports events, and movies that are still in theaters… for free?

That’s what Kodi offers you. It has its problems, but in this post, we’ll look at what it is, how to use it with other devices, and how to use it safely.

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24 May 2017

Smart TV Buyer’s Guide

Buying a new smart TV can be a confusing experience. With all of the technical specifications and unfamiliar features, how do you choose the right TV for you?

We’re here with this helpful guide to help you buy your first smart TV.

Remember that a smart TV can’t replicate the internet browsing experience of a tablet or a computer, and nearly any media streamer can turn a regular TV into somewhat of a smart TV.

With that being said, having the apps already installed saves you needing to buy yet another device.

Many TVs out there in homes already have smart functionality built in – even if the features aren’t being put to use by their owners –  so don’t use that as your sole benchmark for choosing a new TV. Instead, think about 4K resolution if you want a TV that will take you into the next generation of broadcasting.

A 120Hz refresh rate is also beneficial, though you can generally ignore things like contrast-ratio specifications. You’re better off testing actual TVs in person to see which style you prefer – even if you end up buying the television online.

And whichever model you choose, avoid curved TVs unless you’re specifically seeking out this feature. Reports indicate that the curve detracts from the image quality, rather than enhancing it.

So which smart TVs are worth further investigation?

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17 May 2017

Roku User Guide

Wondering how to set up your new Roku? This Roku user guide will walk you through the process and give tips to get the most out of your new media streamer.

The year is 2017, and “cutting the cord” (cancelling your cable service) has never been more popular.

But everybody still likes to sit down and enjoy their favorite show or movie, don’t they?

Luckily, there are several streaming devices available on the market, from the Apple TV to the Amazon Fire TV to the Roku, and more. Each device comes with their own pros and cons, and you can check out our recent media streaming buyer’s guide for more information.

But if you’ve already chosen the Roku for its wide range of channels and ease of use, you might wonder how you’ll set it up. While there are different models available, and even some televisions with built in Roku operating systems, they all follow the same basic procedure.

We’re here to walk you through that process. And we’ll share tips to get the best out of your new media streamer.

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09 May 2017

4 Top Media Streamers for Families

With so many options available, it is difficult to know which media streamer is best. Let’s take a look at the 4 top media streamers available today.

With the explosion of top quality TV shows made by streaming companies like Stranger Things, you may be wondering if there’s a better way of watching your favorite oldie but goodie TV shows.

I don’t know about you, but it’s just not that comfortable crowding around a laptop or smartphone screen to watch the next episode of Iron Fist on Netflix.

Many smart TVs let you stream media straight from the internet to your TV, but upgrading to a smart TV isn’t always the most cost-effective solution.

If you’ve already got a perfectly good high-definition TV, you can pick up an inexpensive media streamer to let you and your family watch YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, and more, on your existing TV.

But, which media streamer should you choose? Read on to find out the pros and cons of the top four most popular models.

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03 May 2017

10 IoT Terms and Phrases You Should Know

IoT is everywhere now, but do you understand it yet? It is time to get on board and learn these 10 must know IoT terms and phrases.

Any new form of technology brings with it unfamiliar phrases or terminology. But most new terms are easy to learn, and they’ll help you get the most out of your devices.

Smartphones brought us new terms such as apps, mobile data and retina display – as well as the word smartphone itself.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is no different. And with a predicted 26 billion IoT devices in use by 2020, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the terms now.

Here’s our guide to 10 popular technology and IoT words that you’ll be hearing a lot more often in the future.

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