Techish

Early Hands-On With Top Tech @CES Gadgets 2021

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https://youtu.be/JFMuh59c9fc Every year we see our fair share of fringe, futuristic, and just plain fantastical gadgets. We'll post about the most amazing of the 2,000-some gadgets we've seen so far tomorrow. But first, here are a handful of the best gadgets we've actually gotten to go hands-on with ourselves during this big event. One of the best new gadgets we’ll actually buy this year is a just-unveiled Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2. The 2-in-1 device has the world’s first QLED display on a Chromebook. QLED is the same advanced tech Samsung uses in its best TVs. The sound is sweeter, the battery life is longer, and the price is lower. The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is expected out in the ... Read more

Shipping Deadlines For Holidays 2020

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We’ve reached the final few days before the holidays, and in the interest of getting gifts delivered on time — and not paying handsomely for shipping — you should be wrapping up your shopping as soon as you can. Thankfully, several retailers are making those shopping duties cheap and easy by offering free and fast shipping. It wouldn’t be the holidays without a little stress, but you can avoid at least some of it by finishing up your shopping before the window for on-time delivery comes to a close. We’ve also listed the delivery windows for FedEx, UPS, and the USPS in case you are shipping packages yourself. AMAZON As is always the case, you’ll get your gifts faster if you have an ... Read more

Here are Apple’s top apps of 2020

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Apple is out with what it calls the best apps of the worst year 2020. Between working remotely, learning from home, and general lack of things to do during the pandemic, many of us were on our devices more than ever before. (I have strong words for whoever invented the shame-filled screen time report.) This year also brought some apps into the limelight. Zoom became not just a household name, but a verb. Many of Apple's top apps of the year have to do with connecting with others or keeping ourselves busy when so many activities aren't possible. The top iPhone app of the year was Wakeout!, an app that includes exercises for all ability levels. Zoom has to be one of the top apps — ... Read more

Gadgets and gear to help you take a SAFE road trip during a pandemic:

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***This story originally ran/aired in USA Today.*** Seven months into this global pandemic, my husband traded his big, white professional-videographer production van for a bigger, taller, and more adventuresome shade of “pebble gray” Sprinter van. Since so much of his on-location production is shuttered right now, and we both work from home anyway, why not just hit the road? We can explore off-beaten paths and reconnect with one another – while remaining safe in our self-contained, extremely COVID-cautious little bubble. Vandemonium We’re not the only ones thinking this way. RV and van sales and rentals alike have surged since early summer, with no signs of slowing down. Van rental ... Read more

JENN ON TV: More awesome last-minute holiday deals!

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Did you see Jennifer on TV or hear her on the radio recently? Here are more of the smoking hot holiday deals she's been talking about! The last-minute rush on holiday shopping is happening already because of major shipping delays and stricter pandemic orders going into effect. Here are some great go-to's:  1. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Live wireless earbuds Everyone wants their own set of tune-out-the-world headphones this year, and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Live wireless earbuds should be a top consideration. They come in these new vibrant colors — Mystic Red or Blue — so everyone knows they’re yours! What’s even better though is how comfortable they are, they sort of nestle down in ... Read more

THESE ARE THE BEST GADGETS OF 2020 – PERIOD

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The hardest part of curating this list every year is narrowing it down! These are all gadgets I've tried myself, bought, and recommend to my family and friends (that's you) as well. Let me know if I left any of your favorites off of this list! Also, if you click on a link below to buy an item, Techish might receive a (very) small affiliate commission. This is no way affects what we recommend. 1.) Lume Cube LED Light: $69.95     BUY IT HERE For Zoom calls, kick your ring light up a notch with this video conference lighting kit from Lume Cube. The kit includes a panel mini-LED light with both brightness and color temperature adjustability, as well as an additional softening diffuser ... Read more

HOW TO: Get a PlayStation 5 before 2021

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You want to get your hands on the latest Xbox or Playstation 5? Yep, you and the rest of the world! It's no surprise really, since the last time each company updates its consoles was several lifetimes ago in tech-years. (November 2013 was the launch of the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One – the predecessors to the newest consoles.) Every major retailer – and several you've never heard of – continue to update stock on their websites, and even send re-stock alerts through their apps. Still, within a matter of seconds, these hottest new consoles keep selling out. Here are some top tips to scoring one this year, but as you'll see, it's best not to get your hopes up unless you want to sell ... Read more

CYBER MONDAY BEST: Buy these gadgets now (right after I buy them of course).

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You've waited patiently, now's the time to hit that checkout button online. According to Adobe Analytics, Cyber Monday remains the king of online shopping days and will become the largest online sales day in history with between $10.8B and $12.7B spent online, representing between 15% and 35% YoY growth.    Later today, Adobe predicts that the four “golden hours of retail” (7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Pacific) will bring in a massive 29% of the day’s revenue (at least $3.1B) as shoppers hit buy before deals run out; at least $13 million will be spent per minute during the peak hour (8:00 – 9:00 pm PT). ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS:  Cyber Monday discounts: Even with discounts starting much ... Read more

Simple tech tools to make your holidays feel “almost” normal!

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Everything really is different heading into this Holiday Season. But that doesn't mean it has to suck. Here are 11 simple tech tools to make your holidays feel “almost” normal. 1. FILL YOUR HOME WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC Piping music into every room of your home used to cost thousands of dollars, but not anymore! The GED LED+ Speaker bulb (on sale for around $25 on Amazon right now) is a bright light with an onboard Bluetooth speaker built-in. Just screw the bulb into any lamp or light fixture, pair it with Bluetooth on your mobile device, and just like that, you get all your favorite tunes in any room you want. You can pair up to ten bulbs and don’t need any extra apps, wires, or ... Read more

Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2020: Insider Tips & Tricks

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Nothing is normal this year, but Holiday shopping is like upside-down-dramatically different. Black Friday sales started in October and most “doorbuster” deals are happening online already too.  Here are some insider tips to save time, money, and stress — while finding the very best deals on the year’s top gadgets. #1. SHOP EARLY AND SHOP ONLINE! Shop early and shop online — that’s the big mantra for true savings this year — as retailers big and small are posting huge deals already.  Amazon kicked off its Black Friday Deals Week TODAY (Friday, November 20)! Target's "Deal Days" span the entire month of November and BestBuy’s rolling out a bunch of deep discounts available online ... Read more

JENN TIPS: How to find Black Friday deals during the pandemic

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Everything is different in 2020 and that includes Holiday Shopping. Remember Black Friday — those miles-long lines and crowds turning check out counters into mosh-pits? This year the big sales have already started, people are shopping much earlier than normal — and spending a record amount on tech, toys, and “guilt-gifts.” The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) predicts people will spend the lionshare of their entire holiday budgets on gadgets this year. In its annual report, the CTA says Americans will shell out some $135 billion on smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, stem-toys, TV's, smart home devices, and wearables. FILL EVERY ROOM WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC! This is one of my ... Read more

HOW TO: Use your smartphone to fight skin cancer

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**This story originally posted/aired in USA Today** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKpD3_3BNdY&t=12s   It wasn’t long ago that cell phones were accused of potentially causing cancer. But times have changed, and the National Cancer Institute put many of our cell phone fears to rest. Now, with routine exams and trips to the doctor hampered by a pandemic, new technology and app advances on our very own smartphones may very well be the most important tools we have on hand for screening and early detection. "I'm going to paint a wild picture," Deloitte’s Life Sciences and Health Care, Neal Batra told me over the phone. "Imagine a magical technology that allows you to detect ... Read more

7 ways to keep bored kids from turning into screen zombies

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How’s your pandemic going? If you are anything like the 2,000 parents of school-aged children recently surveyed by Fat Brain Toys, your kids have announced, “I’m bored” an average of six times a day, had five temper tantrums a day, and created six "career-best" messes in the past few months. The result, for many households, is that the kids have turned into “screen zombies.” Because what else are you supposed to do? This hardly seems like the best the time to limit screen time. Also, it’s gotten hard to know anymore how much screen time is too much. School, reading, research, entertainment, and socializing all comes in via screen. This doesn’t change the reality that too much screen time, ... Read more

7 genius ways to turn your old iPhone into an awesome new gadget!

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It’s not you, it’s me. I love you, I’m just not in love with you.  Just because you’re swooning over the newest smartphone doesn’t mean you have to just ditch the old one. I mean, it’s been pressed to your face or cradled in the palm of your hand for a few years now, surely you don’t want to just throw out your old handset like yesterday’s soggy coffee cup.  Here are seven fantastic ways to repurpose that trusty gadget so it can go on faithfully serving you for many years to come. 1. Turn it into a VR headset You don't need a spend a small fortune to dabble in the magical world of virtual reality. If your smartphone is less than five years old, it likely has a decent, high-resolution ... Read more

HOW TO: Use high tech/low stress ways to score amazing Amazon Prime Deals

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After the year we've had, who doesn't need a crazy-awesome online shopping sale right about now?! Here are answers to your top questions -- and amazing insider tips to get everything you want -- minus the stress. BUY NOW OR WAIT?  Buy early this year. The pandemic is still disrupting supply chains — which slows down new shipments of the most sought-after products. Online sales are through the roof, adding strain on delivery networks… and shopping analysts predict more supply shortages in high-demand items like electronics and work-from-home gear come November.  Also — the minute Amazon announced the dates of Prime Day, Walmart, Target, Overstock — and many others — announced sales, ... Read more

Here are all the Amazon Prime Day Deals you need to know about:

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Shhhh, don't tell anyone ... A little birdie over at Amazon sent us a list of Prime Day Deals ahead of time. Check out what to expect, and read Christina's story about how to snag these amazing deals before anyone else! When it comes to incredible deals on amazing products, Prime Day 2020 is expected to deliver in a big way. Retail analysts predict Prime Day will generate a record-breaking $10 billion in ales this year. (That's around 3-billion more than last year's Prime Day.) Watch for deals on Nintendo Switch Titles, Barbie & Hot Wheels toys, iRobot Roomba vacuums, Panasonic Cameras and Premium Beauty brands this Prime Day. These offers could sell out quickly, so it's best to be ... Read more