Tech Trends | At Home with Tech

June 30, 2013

Time to Buy a Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Do I own a Bluetooth speaker? Not yet. Do I need one? Absolutely! Which one should I buy? Let’s find out…

I’m not a big fan of Bluetooth tech.
Not yet.

I never really got into those tiny Bluetooth headsets for your mobile phone.
(Sure, they were cool when Lt. Uhura wore one on the Starship Enterprise. Now that they’re real… not so much.)

My first meaningful Bluetooth experience was with my first iMac’s mouse and keyboard.

I was so excited by the concept…

A clear desk without wires or clutter
Only the iMac
Just like in the commercials

Well, I quickly realized it would take more than the loss of a two wires to clean up my home workspace.
My desk is eternally populated with note-pad stickies attached to every inch of clear surface!
(If you know of a support group, please let me know!)

And then I faced the reality that you have to keep changing out batteries to maintain the Bluetooth fantasy.
Worse still, you need to occasionally trouble shoot a failed Bluetooth connection when you boot up your Mac.

Typically, the solution is manually reconnecting the Bluetooth device with your mouse. But how do you do that when it’s your Bluetooth mouse on the fritz?!
Years ago, I bought an old-school wired mouse as a back-up solution.

I proactively addressed the problem with my current iMac by acquiring both a Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad.
That way, when one Bluetooth device goes out, the other one can come to its rescue.
Very symbiotic, don’t you think?

So let’s just say I haven’t been wowed by Bluetooth.
Not yet…

Realizing the Universal Wisdom of Bluetooth
Last weekend my family and I were attending a little barbecue event at a friend’s house. Kids were running about and spraying each other with two garden hoses. (My son somehow managed to stay dry, yet remain in the action.)
Some of the parents were marveling the hearty vegetable garden.
Others were enjoying a cold drink.

Where was I?
Staring at a ‘mini’ black monolith, suspended by thin strings in a living room window.

I wanted to touch it.
I felt it held the answers to the universe.
The host walked up, and he handed me an animal femur to throw high into the air.
(no he didn’t)

But he did explain I was looking at his new battery-driven, portable
Jawbone Jambox Bluetooth Speaker.
It had been paired with an iPhone, resting not far away.
No wires…other than the occasional power cable to charge up its battery.

Not only was it born to project beautiful tunes via the iPhone, but it also does double duty as a speakerphone. (It even has its own microphone.)

Interesting…
I moved closer to the Monolith.
Contact.
I felt my brain growing…

The Search for Sweet Music in Every Room
My new knowledge quickly began percolating towards solving one of my home tech projects:
Bringing music (back) into every room in my house.

Once upon a time, I could just pop a radio or stereo into a few rooms, tune them to my favorite station, and presto, I had a whole-house music solution!

Actually, I don’t need music in every single room, but it would be nice to cover the major zones.
I’ve fallen a bit behind since terrestrial radio tech has become so passé.
(I don’t think I’ve turned one on at home in a year!)

My Grounded AirPort Express
I’ve tried using a few Apple AirPort Express units around the house to wirelessly connect up a few speakers to simulate the same effect using iTunes and music streaming. But I’ve encountered mixed results.

Sometimes, the AirPort Express units need to be rebooted.
Occasionally, I’ve experienced scratchy interference generated by some other selfish device like a microwave.
(The fact that my Express units are the older ‘802.11g’ variety and not the newer ‘802.11n’ may have something to do with this problem.)
Plus, you’ve got to boot up a computer and then iTunes to get the music going. That’s never quite as fast as clicking a knob or pressing a stereo ‘on’ button.

It’s just not been a quick ‘set it and forget it’ solution.

Sure, I know you can hard wire your house for audio…but I don’t have the appetite for such a major project right now.

But if I can’t have music in every room I walk into, maybe the solution is to bring the music with me into whatever room I happen to be in…

…via Bluetooth!
(cue the angelic chorus)

So Many Choices!
Buy a portable Bluetooth speaker and then move it wherever you need it.
(Yeah, that’s the ticket.)

So I began my research, and it was at this point I felt a bit like Rip Van Winkle.
Portable Bluetooth speakers are hardly a new item.
They’ve been around for a few years; the Jambox was a sensation back in 2010.

But now, there’s a veritable army of them out there to choose from.
This year’s CES was filled with them.

Many of the newer ones are designed for outdoor rugged-on-the-road or at-the-beach use.

The good news is my durability requirements are slightly less ambitious…
(That said, I do have a three year old!)

Let the Shopping Begin…

So which Bluetooth speaker to buy?
I went online to see if I could identify a cyber consensus.
And a few trends began to emerge…

Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II

Everyone seems to agree that the
Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II is the best one out there.
But it’s wicked expensive at $299.

There’s also Bose’s brand new SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker at $199.
It starts shipping on July 1, and the initial buzz is strong.
(When was the last time Bose didn’t come up with a product that was amazing, but overpriced?)

Jawbone Jambox

Compared to today’s competition, the Jawbone Jambox is still a strong contender, but isn’t as universally adored as it once was. It’s also considered too expensive at its base price of $180, considering the cost/value analysis of the competition.
(You can pick it up from Amazon for only $129.79)

There’s also the Jambox’s newer and larger cousin, the Jawbone Big Jambox.
The reviews say it’s…yes, bigger and better.
But it’s added power comes at a cost…$299.00.
($272.33 on Amazon.)

Logitech UE Mobile Boombox

The Logitech UE Mobile Boombox hits the sweet spot.
It’s only $100 and gets great reviews-

This is the closest I’ve come to finding online consensus for anything in quite a while…

How Low Can You Go?
A hundred smackers isn’t an unbreakable baseline.
You’ve got a plethora of choices in the sub-$100 arena too.
And cheap does not equal bad.

Philips SoundShooter Wireless

One example is the Philips SoundShooter Wireless, which garners positive reviews considering its $50 price tag. ($46.86 on Amazon)
(Plus, you know how much I’m into Philips these days with their cool LED light bulbs.)

It can’t match the more expensive competition, but reviews like CNET’s say it’s surprisingly good…

Any Color of the Rainbow?
Henry Ford was famous for allegedly saying that people could have any color of his 1909 Model T car they wanted… so long as it was black.
Bose follows the same philosophy, and the basic black works just fine for me.
(Actually, the $299 Bose also comes in silver and white.)

But I should mention the other companies above have an explosion of colors to offer the more colorful mindset.

And the Winner Is…
So it’s hard to go wrong these days buying a Bluetooth portable speaker.
Whether you spend $50 or $300, you’re going to get a device that blasts out your tunes and doubles as a speaker phone to boot!

As a bonus, Bluetooth speakers can also give more audio oomph to the visuals on your laptop or iPad.

You can debate the sound quality and battery life of each speaker… but essentially the job is going to get done.

Drum roll please…
Yesterday, I pulled the trigger on the Logitech UE Mobile Boombox.
It strikes the perfect balance between price and quality.

Got it from Amazon Prime for $98.95.
(Today, it’s listed for $97.94. D’oh!)

It’s already in the mail, but if you’ve got your own recommendations, I’m listening…
(I could always return the Logitech…)

Either way, I’m hopeful this singular sound solution will soon be bringing the music back into my life.

I’ve joined the Bluetooth generation.
(Yay, Barrett.)

But does this mean since I’ve finally embraced Bluetooth tech, it’s now doomed to near obsolescence?

Not yet…

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June 23, 2013

How to Help Your Computer Survive Software Updates

Do you feel like you’re playing Russian roulette whenever a message pops up to update your computer’s software? Here are six tips to keep the odds in your favor…

You’re happily typing away at your computer with your cup of Joe.
All your software is functioning properly.
Your media is backed up.

It’s a moment of digital harmony.

Suddenly, a message appears in the center of your screen.
“New software is available for your computer. Would you like to install it now?”

Ooohh… free updates to make your Apple computer even better!

Endorphins get released at the mere thought of enhanced computer functionality, and your trigger finger quickly moves towards your keyboard.

Then your left brain screams, “Wait!!!”
Maybe tinkering with a good thing isn’t always such a good idea.

And even if the word “critical” is attached to the update, you should always think twice about when and how you do your updating.

Because the truth is….
Your computer and its software will probably perform the same after a recommended software update.
But sometimes, things aren’t quite the same.

My experience has run the gamut. It’s ranged from minor settings having to be reset to my computer not wanting to reboot!

Total disaster like that is rare, but there’s really no way to know for sure what’s going to happen.

It feels a little like Russian roulette.
(right?)

Six Tips to Promote Successful Software Updates

Here are a few tips to help ensure your software updating adventures go smoothly:

1. Do Nothing
One thought is – If it “ain’t” broke, don’t fix it.
Close the update window and go about your digital day.

But if you fall too far behind in your software housekeeping, you’ll eventually end up with a different set of incompatibility problems generated by your neglected software.

And if the update is more about security than functionality, you’re leaving your computer in a vulnerable position.

So, sticking your head in the sand is a strategy you shouldn’t rely on for too long…

2. Back It Up First
I know I’m not the first to mention this, but it bears repeating…
If you’re going to take the plunge and introduce new bits and bytes to your computer, no matter how few, you should make sure you’ve got yourself a fully updated back-up drive waiting in the wings.

Follow the same precautions as you would when downloading a brand new software package.

3. Do Your Research
You really don’t have to be the canary in the cage.
Just Google the software update, and I promise you there will be lots of folks talking about their own experiences with the update.

4. It Doesn’t Hurt to Wait a Bit
Even if your research fails to turns up any red flags, why not wait a week to make sure you’re not amongst the first to encounter a glitch?

5. Close the Necessary Open Programs
Usually, Apple’s Software Update utility will prompt you to close the requisite programs before beginning the software update process.
A single click usually can perform this step.
(It really can’t get any easier!)

That said, I recently ran into a little roadblock while performing Microsoft Auto Updates. (which runs separately from Apple’s utility)

Two crafty Microsoft processes suddenly became stubborn and wouldn’t automatically close upon request with the rest of their cousins.

The offenders-

Microsoft Database Daemon.app
SyncServicesAgent.app

After some frustration, I eventually realized you need to call upon a more powerful utility to deal with these little critters…

Activity Monitor to the Rescue!
You can find this digital ally in your Utilities folder, which lives in ‘Applications.’
Open Activity Monitor, and it shows you everything that’s running on your computer.
(How cool is that?!)

Just locate your two unwanted guests and zap them away with the ‘Quit Process’ button.

The glitch is now gone, and your software update process is free to move about the cabin…

6. Do the Updates on Your Own Schedule
You don’t only have to do the software updates when your computer asks you. (and doesn’t that always seems to happen when you’re in the middle of a deadline?!)

You can call up the updates whenever you want and when you’ve got a little more time to consider these tips.

The Software Update utility is the second listing when you click on your Apple Menu on the very top left of your screen.

Whitewashing Your Digital Picket Fence
Performing software updates is a necessary chore that’s both a blessing and a curse.

It’s designed to be a no brainer, but leaving your housekeeping to an auto pilot program can easily lead to an unexpected crash.

Don’t pretend to be a digital Tom Sawyer. There’s never an easy way out…

Life is a hands-on experience.
Why should your digital life be any different?

June 16, 2013

The Second Best Father’s Day Deal

Just like our family, I bet you took a few great photos today, celebrating your awesome ‘Dadness.’ Now, it’s time to print them! If you want to retain some of that ‘Dad of the Day’ afterglow, don’t pay top dollar to fill your printer’s empty photo paper tray.

As if life doesn’t already have enough opportunities,
certain ‘forces’ have added a few more ‘holidays’ to the calendar to challenge your photo-taking prowess…

That said, today is supposed to be the one day of the year you get to kick back as a father and not worry about any of that.

Ahhhh… Father’s Day… The day to put aside all your home tech worries.

You can just enjoy being a dad, and maybe take a few photos.
What could possibly go wrong?

Well, at day’s end you just might want to print out a photo or two…

Pop quiz:
Are you, by any chance, fresh out of photo paper?

I know… some of you luddites may still print your photos down at the local CVS.
(not that there’s anything wrong with that)

Other enlightened souls wisely invest their time in creating photo books online.

I’ve been having trouble lately bending space-time. So I’ve found myself short on the temporal interval it takes to create one of these clever books.

So as a backup, I’ve found myself drawn to the quickest photo-printing solution available. I just perform the ‘click’ and let my Epson Artisan printer do the rest of the work…

Printing Your Photo of the Week
I’ve developed a most enjoyable habit over the past three years.
I print out a 5” x 7” photo from my son’s weekend adventures to take to work on Monday mornings.

Not only does this practice add a breath of fresh air to your daily routine, but this ‘photo of the week’ printing structure will organically grow your own
5” x 7” collection of amazing prints.

Plus, these photos will probably become the keepers my decedents pull out of a long-lost shoebox a hundred years from now.
(Like anyone’s digital back up plan has half a chance of making it into the next century!)

So it makes sense to print with the best quality photo paper stock available.

I usually go for Epson’s ‘5 star’ Ultra Premium Glossy stock if I can find it, even though it’s more expensive than their standard photo paper.

In fact, I’ve generally found locating any Epson photo paper in the brick and mortar stores not that simple a task.

Whenever I frequent Staples, they seemingly have a warehouse full of HP photo paper, as the HP logo dominates Aisle 6 as far as the eye can see.
In the corner, a few Epson photo packages huddle together for warmth.

So I’m always on the lookout for my Epson paper supply and a deal to boot…!

News Flash: Epson.com Sells Paper!
Shortly after buying and registering my second Epson Artisan printer,
(my first was hobbled last year by the attack of my son’s killer penny)
I received an email from the Epson Store suggesting I check out their photo paper online.

I’m not one to eagerly begin a new relationship with another web vendor,
(I usually stick to Amazon, B&H Photo, and Diapers.com)
…but I decided to take a look.

It was the logical thing to do.

You know what I found?
Some reasonable pricing on their website… but nothing to really blog about.

Epson’s Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy:

$18 for 60 sheets of 4” x 6”
$25.20 for 100 sheets of 4” x 6”
$9 for 20 sheets of 5” x 7”
$15.30 for 20 sheets of 8” x 10”
$36 for 50 sheets of 8.5” x 11”

You ‘Amazon-a-philes’ out there should be quick to point out that Amazon can still beat the cost on some of these items. (as long as you’ve got Amazon Prime)

And B&H Photo’s website also has Epson beat.
(Don’t they always?)

But that’s not the only email I ever got from Epson…

The Second Best Deal for Father’s Day
The best deal on Father’s Day is spending time with your family.
(D’uh!!!)

But I think Epson has the second best deal…

Two weeks ago, I received another email from Epson.
A magical email.
It said, “Guess what? We don’t need to make any money this week… so here’s a ludicrous discount for you!”
(not quoting them quite the way they wrote it…)

This email gave me a 40% discount!
Whoah!! It’s like finding the last golden ticket hidden in a Wonka Bar!

All right. I decided it was time to run the numbers again against Amazon and B&H Photo.

Yep. Epson officially rocks.
Their discounted pricing, coupled with their current free ground shipping offer makes them the best deal in town!

It was time to pull the trigger.

And so today… I am prepared.
My Epson photo printer is loaded and ready for action!

My tech is fed.
Now, it’s time to chill out…

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
So yes, you’ve got to play Epson’s little game…

Register your email with Epson
Wait for their email with the insane sales code
(These actually show up several times a year)
Order your photo paper whether you need some or not
Believe, me you’ll use it…eventually

Let me be the first to congratulate all you prepared dads on a
Happy Father’s Day…
2014.

Category: Tech Trends

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