November already? Lökwest has your guide to holiday tech!
November brings us officially into the holiday season - it's three weeks until Black Friday / Cyber Monday! Are you ready to buy some discounted technology gadgets?
You're not alone. The Consumer Technology Association estimates $96.1 billion in projected U.S. holiday tech sales, a 3.4% increase over last year. 164 million U.S. adults (66 percent) plan to purchase a tech product as a gift this year – on par with 2017. (incidentally, the US has about 327 million people, so that's nearly $300 in tech for every man, woman, and child in the US!)
It's hard to believe, but we're now on our third annual Holiday Tech Shopping Guide / presentation. If you haven't been keeping up with all of the latest gadgets this year, don't worry because we have!
Read our presentation on what's the "baseline" technology this year, so you know if you're getting a good deal. Then, check the highlights on some of our favorite products. We've also got a double feature in the tech history department for you!
Enjoy the issue and have a great start to the holiday season!
Eric
First, one word...VOTE!
Yes, the election is next Tuesday. Whoever you support, it's a privilege to be able to vote when many countries can't. OK, there's my pitch. Now, some useful information for those of you in California.
Do yourself a favor - cut through the noise on media and get an unbiased answer to your questions. Here's the official election information - straight from the source:
VoteSure | California Secretary of State — www.sos.ca.gov
Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Get official, nonpartisan information about the November 6, 2018 General Election directly from the source: The California Secretary of State.
California Quick Guide to Propositions | California Secretary of State
If you're like me, you're tired of the commercials! People dying, losing their homes - prop 10, prop 3, prop 8 - what do they all mean? I've found the easiest way to find out is the summary that you get in the snail mail. Of course, most of us threw the book out 2 months ago! Never fear - here's a handy, easy to read, electronic version from the state - no political bias or ads!
Cockroaches in dialysis centers....during dinner hour........
Speaking of tuning out...
190 universities just launched 600 free online courses. Here’s the full list. — ow.ly
[Most popular post of the month]
Tired of the news cycle and talk of fake news and conspiracies? Why not get off social media and learn something worthwhile. If you don't know what a MOOC is, you should. Universities are offering hundreds of FREE (or at least partially free) courses on all kinds of topics.
Now on to the shopping!
Your 2018 Holiday Tech Shopping Guide - Lökwest — www.lokwest.com
Read our latest presentation! Get ready for the 2018 holiday tech shopping season! Learn what to look for in TV's, computer, tablets, phones, and smart devices with our annual guide!
Here's a hint - everyone wants a TV. Like Dad always said, "You can never have too many TV's!"
Black Friday 2018 Ads: Costco's Best Deals Leak — www.forbes.com
Costco Black Friday 2018 deals have "leaked." This is the first look at some deals from a major retailer this season. Costco member or not, you can get an idea of what deals will look like this year.
Is the "leak" a conspiracy to sell more $1.50 hot dogs? (Incidentally, they sell 100 million combos a year.)
Looking for a computer?
ASUS' latest low-cost Chromebooks are available now — ow.ly
If you want a dead simple computer to browse the Internet, Chromebook, Chromebook, Chromebook. We included a couple of recommendations in our holiday presentation, but here's a late entry to the mix. Best thing - these things are cheap!
If they give it to kids in elementary, Grandma, you can use it!
HP’s latest Spectre x360 has a new angular design and 22.5 hours of battery life — ow.ly
Another late entry to the holiday mix. I'm a personal fan of the HP Spectre x360, as I've been using the 2017 model for almost 2 years and it's been SPECTACULAR. This is a recommend buy if you're looking for a sleek, high end PC laptop. (still the same price as the new MacBook Air at $1100ish)
Mine's name is Huey....... :)
For the Apple fan....
The 5 biggest announcements from the October Apple event — ow.ly
October 30th was the second Apple reveal show this fall (after the new phones last month). This time, they introduced three new devices, reviving the Mac mini and MacBook Air and refreshing the iPad Pro with new Apple Pencil 2 and Smart Keyboard.
Many people have been waiting for a new MacBook Air. Will they upgrade?
Which iPad should you buy? Here’s how Apple’s lineup compares in price — ow.ly
In the market for a new iPad? Here's an article to break through the confusion. All the new models, alongside all the older models available - with prices. There are 2 new models this year, and 11-inch and a 12.9-inch.
Beautiful devices, but for the price you better do more than play Angry Birds!
Wait! Google has new toys too!
Google Pixel 3 review: Fewer features make for incredible phones — ow.ly
Pixels have always been about creating an experience that's greater than the sum of their parts. The new Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the best-ever expression of these values, and they're amazing phones because of it.
Best AI powered camera you can buy. The new Apple's chips are faster.
Here's how Google's new $150 Home Hub compares to the Amazon Echo Show — ow.ly
The latest generation of smart home devices from Google and Amazon have displays that allow you to see, rather than just hear, your commands. Here's how the Amazon Echo Show and Google Home Hub compare.
Our money's on the Home Hub - Google Assistant's way to smart. Plus, YouTube, maps.........
Before we go, your November streaming update...
Everything coming to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO Now in November — ow.ly
We love the Verge's monthly streaming trifecta update. We hope you do too. House of Cards sans Spacey? Thanksgiving movies? Here's the lineup from Netflix, Amazon Prime, AND HBO for November!
Planes, trains, and automobiles anyone?
And let's play two - a tech history double header!
100 Websites That Shaped the Internet as We Know It — ow.ly
OK, so this makes me old if I'm older than ALL of these websites! How many of these did you use/remember. Take a trip down memory lane. That’s right, it’s time for the world to start building a canon of the most significant websites of all time - and Gizmodo shares their opinions.
Probably time to get that profile off of Friendster......
Android: a visual history of Google’s OS on its 10th anniversary - The Verge — www.theverge.com
How many of these screen shots make you cringe about that "old phone" you used to have. That is, until you realize Android is only ten years old! We liked this article's breakdown of the different versions of Android and how it's evolved.
What's a Froyo bro?
Last tech talk this year - November 27th!
Join us November 27th at 1:30 PM for Exploring Technology, in conjunction with the San Clemente Village. Not a member of the Village? Join as my guest -simply RSVP to this e-mail so we have an accurate count. Location: F&M Bank, San Clemente. Topic: TBD, check the San Clemente Village calendar.
WAIT - ONE LAST THING!
Help team #lokwest and donate a meal
ShareTheMeal — sharethemeal.org
We told you how much money the US plans to spend on technology this season. It's astounding, when you think about those who have nothing to eat - during the holidays or on ANY day. We're big advocates of the Share the Meal app. It's administered by UN Food Program - so no BS.
I love it because 50 cents donates a meal. Whenever you feel like it, pop open your phone, and donate a meal! When you sign up and donate - if you don't have a team, donate for ours! #lokwest
