Lökwest - October news - The "fall lineup" issue.
Welcome to the "fall lineup edition" of our newsletter. It's phone season and gadget season, and the "big three" haven't disappointed. In this issue, we'll be covering the fall releases from Amazon, Google, and Apple. You're sure to find something for your wish list!
But before we get into the amazing world of tech, a moment to stop and reflect. Our hearts go out to all of those who are suffering as a result of this month's natural and manmade disasters.
We remind you to ALWAYS check your sources before sharing news or donating to any causes. Immediately following every disaster, a flurry of people appear online to take advantage of it. The International Consortium of Journalists suggests following their C.R.A.A.P. rule.
If you have ANY questions, don't hesitate to contact us. We've been following all of the scams as well as legitimate ways you can help.
For starters, the ex-Presidents have set up the One America Appeal, with 100% goes to charity. There's always the Red Cross. Or, if you're looking to fund a campaign on GoFundMe, make sure it is the legitimate one!
Now, let's change the mood!
Thanks for your support, and happy reading!
It's almost Halloween, and the dancing pumpkin man meme will be all over the Internet again. So, what's the real scoop behind this YouTube legend? Read on, my friends, and become famous!
How an awkward, dancing pumpkin captured the Internet’s imagination
Safety first
Google's Trusted Contacts now lets you schedule location alerts that work even if your phone is dead or has no signal — ow.ly
[RECOMMENDED] Google's Trusted Contacts app is one of the more personal but highly useful products the company has launched in recent memory. In times of emergency, you want to let people know where you are. This app does that, and now even sends out a "final beacon" before your phone goes dead with your last known location.
The Equifax hack and how to protect your family — all explained in 5 minutes — ow.ly
In 1989, the US government decided to concentrate our most sensitive data in the hands of three giant finance corporations. But our Social Security Number wasn't supposed to ever be a master ID! Now that Experian has messed it up, read about what you can do to stay safe.
TIP: Watch out in a year's time after everyone's free year of credit monitoring expires!
Amazon's fall lineup
Amazon unveils 6 new devices, including second-generation Echo for $99 and Echo Plus for $149 — ow.ly
Amazon wants you to have an Echo for everything. The new lineup now brings 6 new devices. Echo Spot, a nifty little alarm clock with a screen, an Echo with the Hue hub built in, better sound, multi-room functions, you name it. If you don't have an Echo yet, you may after the holidays!
Amazon Echo devices can now make free calls in North America — ow.ly
[LATE BREAKING] All Amazon Echo devices can now make free calls to the US, Canada, and Mexico without any additional hardware. We just tested this and it works so into your Alexa settings to set it up!
Alexa, call 867-5309.......
Amazon upgrades Fire TV’s ‘hands-free’ TV experience, powered by Alexa — ow.ly
Amazon is getting better at integrating Alexa into the Fire TV. Now you can search for shows across several applications and platforms, as well as control playback. You can even use your Echo rather than the microphone for some functions - TOTALLY hands off!
Google's fall lineup
Here’s everything Google announced today — ow.ly
[LATE BREAKING] Google held a press conference Wednesday in San Francisco, where the company announced everything from new phones to crazy machine learning-powered earbuds. 13 announcements in total. Check out the all the latest here!
Google’s Airpods competitor do real-time language translation — techcrunch.com
Look out Douglas Adams - the babel fish have arrived. Google's new PixelBuds do music, voice control, and by the way, TRANSLATE 40 languages real-time in your ear. The demo proved Swedish to English works!
Apple's fall lineup
Everything Apple announced at its iPhone X keynote — ow.ly
Apple's September event is always a big one. And this year is no different. There were new iPhones, a new Apple Watch and even a new Apple TV. All presented in their beautiful new Steve Jobs theatre at the new "spaceship" Cupertino campus!
9 reasons you should buy an iPhone 8 instead of an iPhone X — www.businessinsider.com
There are several good reasons to consider an iPhone 8 instead of holding out for the iPhone X. We've read the article, and agree that for many, the extra $300-$400 dollars isn't worth it. Not to mention, analysts are already forecasting shortages of the iPhone X, due to screen and camera shortages.
Streaming TV's fall lineup
Everything coming to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO Now in October
Fall is the perfect time to settle in and stream some TV. We always share the monthly streaming guide from the Verge. If you have Netflix, Prime, or HBO, take a read.
Don't forget that the NFL also streams Thursday night games on Amazon Prime!
In tech history...back to the 50s!
Transistor Patented - October 3, 1950
AT&T Bell Laboratories researchers John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley receive a US Patent for their invention of the transistor, which they had successfully demonstrated two years earlier. The transistor completely revolutionized the development of electronic and computerized technology.
Technology has exploded ever since. The number of transistors on a chip has consistently doubled every 2 years since the 50's! (Moore's Law)
Regency TR-1 radio - 4 transistors (1954)
Apple A11 Bionic chip - 4,300,000,000 transistors (2017)
Tech talk October 17th
Apps to keep you safe
A natural or human disaster can happen anytime, anyplace. Do you know what to do when you pull out your phone in an emergency? Will you have the right apps installed when connectivity is poor?
Several types of applications can help. Join us as we sample a few applications, including:
weather apps
police scanners
survival and first aid
companion tracking
panic alert apps
how to record video or "go live" on social media
Join me at the San Clemente Community Center at 1:30 on the 17th. (Note: This is is a San Clemente Village Event. Not a member? No problem - come as a guest to see what the village has to offer!)
Get in touch
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