Skip to content

WayCoolTech

“Better Living Through Technology”

January 26, 2012 New National Data Privacy Day: Keeping Yourself “Cyber Safe”

CLICK TO WATCH!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

1.  “Amateur Hour Is Over”

  • Lone hackers and “script-kiddies” are yesterday’s news. They’ve been replaced by professional international criminal networks.

  • In fact, your private data is one of the hottest commodities in organized crime today, grossing more annually than the global drug trade, according to Dept. of Homeland Security estimates.

2. Think You’re “Under The Radar?” Think Again…

  • If you think you’re not wealthy or famous enough to attract the attention of cyber criminals, you’re dead wrong. You don’t have to be rich — your very identity has tremendous value in the illicit data trade.
  • Even newborn babies routinely have their identities stolen and used to establish credit, citizenship, and support other illegal enterprises! (They typically won’t find out until they’re old enough to apply for credit or a job.)

3. Criminals could be after more than just your money or your ID.

  •  The danger from cyberspace could be very real. Cyber stalking is a very real threat, and most people have no idea how exposed they are in today’s “everything-online” environment.
  • Even the federal government is concerned about the impact of individuals’ cyber privacy– as a matter of national security!

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

1. Encrypt everything.

  •  Whenever you see encryption as an option – take it! From storing your iPhone data on Apple’s iCloud, to backing up your hard drive, encryption is free and well worth the extra click.

2. Pick “Safe” Sites.

  • Stick to brands you know, or choose less-risky alternatives like www.Safelist.com instead of Craig’s List. (But still, watch out for “Phish-ies”…)

3. Participate in Local Cyber Awareness Groups and Activities

September 1, 2011 Digital Dorm “Must Haves”

↑Click to Watch↑

“MUST-HAVE” SOFTWARE:

“MUST-HAVE” HARDWARE:

LAPTOPS:

  • HP Pavilion g6 Laptop – $399 & up
    • Performance a student needs without breaking the bank, and comes in stylish colors
  • HP Mini 210 Laptop – $299 & up
    • Light-weight and ideal for carrying from class to class to take notes

 DESKTOPS:

  • Inspiron 620 Slim Tower Desktop PC – $249 & up — with S2330MX Ultra-Thin Monitor – $249
    • Performance desktop featuring 2nd Gen Intel® Core™ processor
    • Available in two tower sizes, slim and standard, and in four different eye-catching colors
    • Full high-definition viewing on a 23″ monitor that’s incredibly slim, exceptionally sleek and environmentally conscientious
  • HP TouchSmart 610 All-in-One Desktop PC –- $899 & up
    • Full-functioning desktop with touch capabilities
    • Features graphics and software (such as Beats Audio) for the ultimate entertainment experience whether watching class presentations or YouTube videos

 TABLETS/EREADERS

July 15, 2011 Sand & Surf Are Summer Fun — But Not For Your Electronics!

Tips to protect your precious electronics from the elements:

WATCH THE VIDEO (CLICK ON PHOTO)

  • – Keep them away from the water (duh!)
  • – Get a waterproof case
  • – Get waterproof electronics
  • – Get a zip-lock baggie (hey, it’s better than nothing!)

Here’s how to rescue waterlogged electronics:

Once it’s wet…

  • – Don’t turn it on!
  • – Remove battery, SIM card, etc.
  • – Let it air dry completely
  • – Reinstall battery, cross your fingers, and turn it on

For REALLY wet electronics…

  • – Try “The Rice Trick”
  • – The “Rubbing Alcohol Treatment”
  • – Try a few hours in the oven at LOW heat (NOT the microwave!)

June 9, 2011 Steve’s Summer Vacation “Rules of the Road”

My four rules to keep you safe, sane & entertained! (Click HERE to watch the video!)

RULE #1: RELAX!

The first rule of going on vacation is to CHILL OUT! These two gadgets can help you achieve a more Zen-like state — in the car or on the course:

•  Independa Smart Reminder Service – FREE!

  • San Diego-based startup allows baby boomers answer the important question:  “How are Mom & Dad doing?”  even when you’re on vacation. Instant peace of mind!
  • Set interactive telephone reminders for your elderly loved ones – take your meds, see the doctor, feed the cat, etc. – and check in via  your smart phone, tablet or laptop. No more worrying if Mom took her heart medication…

•  SensoGlove, the World’s First Digital Golf Glove — $89

  • The first and only golf glove with built-in sensors that constantly read the pressure of your grip. Relax on the course!
  • Teaches you the correct grip pressure for a smooth, consistent swing – no more “Death Grip” – increases distance, accuracy & control

RULE #2: GO IN STYLE!

To quote Billy Crystal (as Fernando Llamas): “To look good is to feel good.” In this car, you’ll look GOOD!

• Infiniti 2011 “G” convertible — $45,000 and up

  • Tech to go! 3-piece retractable hard top; adaptive climate control & Bose sound system automatically adjust to your speed, air temperature, etc.

RULE #3: ENTERTAIN YOURSELF!

There’s never a dull moment if you take your home entertainment with you!

•  The Luna Pocket Projector from Sceptre –  $ 169.99

  • Projector literally fits in the palm of your hand!

• iPad 2 ($499 & up) and  Slingbox Player ($29)

  • The new iPad2 and Slingbox Player let you watch whatever is on live TV at home (or recorded on your home DVR) — anytime, anyplace.

RULE #4: STAY CONNECTED!

Keep in contact with the world around you with the VERY latest in 4G mobile phones!

•  Verizon’s Droid Charge by Samsung – $299 (w/2yr contract)

  • Verizon’s fastest phone, lets you take your broadband data connection with you (and share it with your friends as an instant WiFi hotspot, too)

•  AT&T’s Infuse 4G by Samsung – $199

  • Thinnest and Brightest 4G phone yet, let’s you take your HD video with you — it even outputs it to an HDTV with an HDMI connector!

• AT&T’s ATRIX phone and LapDock by Motorola — $299

  •  Comes with a laptop display and keyboard that you plug your phone right into. Lets you take your e-mail, word processing, calendar and more with you and move seamlessly from the phone to a full-size laptop display in seconds.

April 10, 2011 Spring Break 2011: Tech for the Trip!

Click to Watch!

April is here and it’s time to hit the road for Spring Break! Whether you’re driving the kids to Disney, or hopping a plane to Cancun, there’s new technology to make getting there as much fun and as hassle-free as possible. Here are some of my picks for top travel tech:

Pick a destination:

We used Hotel.com to book fabulous rooms at rock-bottom prices. Our destination — the Inn at Morro Bay — lies just inside a State Park, steps from a scenic golf course, and smack dab on one of the most beautiful waterfront vistas in the world. Otters, sea lons and seabirds of every description frolicked just steps away, as sailboats sat anchored below the soaring hulk of Morro Rock…

 In the car: 

  • GMC Terrain Crossover SUV – Inside this crossover SUV you will find smart use of space, premium features like MultiFlex seating, and purposeful technologies, including Active Sound Cancellation, a Rear Vision Camera, USB port, Bluetooth, and a programmable power rear lift gate.
  • The Terrain Rear-Seat Entertainment System with dual-mounted displays lets rear-seat passengers to share the fun, or one can watch a movie while the other plays video games on their display, etc., with each listening on their wireless headphones.
  • SuperTooth Buddy hands-free calling kit fits any car and pairs automatically to any Bluetooth phone for safe (and LEGAL) connectivity from the car
  • Sprint MiFi 3G/4G 4082 Mobile Hotspot by Novatel turns any vehicle — or any place — into a Wi-Fi hotspot capable of supporting up to 5 wireless Web surfers at high speed.

On the plane: 

…

  • The Apple iPad 2. Need I say more? Loaded with travel-related apps, front and rear video cameras – and its 33% thinner and 15% lighter than the original iPad.
  • A Bluetooth “boom box” that fits in your pocket. From FoxL, you have to see it and hear it to believe it.
  • They say clothes make the man. . .”technology” enabled clothing from Scottevest not only holds all your tech gear, but has so many hidden pockets and compartments, you may be able to ditch your carry-on altogether.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.