Techish

FTD Is Having a Massive Sale on Mother’s Day Flowers Right Now

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Yes, Mom loves a good flower bouquet for Mother's Day, but she also doesn’t want you to blow your budget on peonies. FTD understands the struggle, which is why it's having a massive site-wide sale right now. All flowers, plants, and gifts are 20% off. We rounded up some of our favorites, so get ready: your perfect Mother’s Day gift is only a click away. Mum's the Word Bouquet $32 and up BUY NOW She won’t be able to stop smiling when this arrangement — bursting with pink gerbera daisies, purple gillyflower, white Peruvian Lilies, and green spider mums — is delivered to her front door. The Perfect Day Bouquet $36 and up BUY NOW This best-selling bouquet of bright roses ... Read more

One of the most popular robot vacuums is just $99 right now on Amazon

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It wasn't all that long ago that robot vacuums would set you back hundreds and hundreds of dollars, but a whole lot has changed over the past few years. Like any kind of new tech, a whole bunch of companies jumped on the robot vacuum trend, and prices have plummeted as a result. Some cheap ones don't exactly live up to their promise, but with nearly 1,000 reviews and a 4.5/5 star rating on Amazon, Housmile's $99 robot vacuum is a win/win. Here's the product highlights: Premium Features: infrared-sensor for evading obstacles, and smart drop-sensing tech to avoid falls. High-Capacity Li-ion Battery: Delivers over 1.5 hours of fade-free power for constant, powerful suction. Easy ... Read more

If you’ve been waiting to try the Amazon Fire TV Stick with built-in Alexa, it’s super cheap right now

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For in-home streaming, there's really only two games in town: Google's Chromecast and Amazon's Fire TV stick. Both let you stream all kinds of shows and movies, but Amazon's built-in apps for Netflix, HBO, Hulu, NBC, and a whole bunch of others make it the best choice if you don't feel like fiddling with your smartphone to start streaming. Oh, and if you don't already have an Alexa-enabled speaker sitting on your coffee table, the included remote has built-in Alexa voice, too! The Fire TV Stick's highlights: The next generation of our best-selling Fire TV Stick–now with the Alexa Voice Remote. Enjoy tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills with access to over 500,000 ... Read more

HOW TO: File your taxes faster, get last minute-help and track your refunds

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The April 17 tax deadline is looming. As the mad dash to file draws nears, there is some new technology to help make this potentially stressful task incredibly simple — yes, even for those filing last minute. Here's a look at some options: Free filing If you made less than $66,000 in 2017 and have a simple return, the government makes it easy to file online, for free. The Internal Revenue Service's "Free File" preparation and filing software guides you through the process. You can sign your return electronically and track the progress of your refund, all for no cost. According to the IRS, 70% of all taxpayers — about 100 million people — are eligible to file using the Free File ... Read more

Amazon’s Echo Spot is one of the best smart home gadgets, and now it’s cheaper than ever

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Amazon's Echo gadgets are smart home all-stars. Alexa, with her endless skills and abilities, has steadily outpaced all other digital assistants in the smart home race, and Amazon's Echo Spot is one of the most handy Alexa-enabled gadgets. On top of its Alexa powers, it does video calls, runs a whole bunch of media apps like Spotify, Pandora, and Audible, and it can control everything from your thermostat to your lawn sprinklers. Here's a summary of everything the Spot can do, via its Amazon store description: Echo Spot is designed to fit anywhere in your home. Use 2nd generation far-field voice recognition to watch video flash briefings, see music lyrics, weather forecasts, ... Read more

My favorite Spring Break travel gadgets will take the stress out of your next trip

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It's been a long, cold, boring winter, but now temps are rising and Spring Break is upon us! I know, I know, you can't wait to get away from it all, but if you're anything like me, you find the most painful part of heading to a sunny destination is the trip itself. Dragging a half-bused suitcase through a crowded airport and then sitting in a cramped plane seat while you watch a horrible in-flight movie sure doesn't sound like vacation to me! Here are a few incredibly awesome travel gadgets to make your travel a bit more pleasant this time around: Bag it! A stress-free trip should always start with some quality luggage. Still wheeling around a hand-me-down suitcase with one bad wheel ... Read more

Why Apple’s new iPad is going to be this year’s must-have school gadget

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Even though it's only Spring, and most kids (and parents) are thinking more about Spring Break than the next school year, it's already clear that Apple's newly-announced iPad will be the year's must-have gadget for school. Apple held a special, education-focused event in Chicago to announce the launch of the new tablet, and everything they said should be music to the ears of parents and teachers too. Here's what you need to know: What is it? An all-new 9.7-inch iPad. What's so special about it? Glad you asked! Well, for starters, it's more powerful than the previous model and it has full support for the Apple Pencil stylus, which up until now was reserved for the incredibly ... Read more

These awesome apps will help you save tons of money on Spring Break

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I have a major case of cabin fever this year — and I live in Northern California. I really can't imagine what folks in snowy states are going through right about now. (Well, I can imagine it, because I grew up in Alaska...) As spring fever takes its hold, dreams of sandy beaches, sunny skies, and sweet umbrella drinks are now fueling my favorite procrastination activity: Spring Break planning! But money's tight this year, so here are the five apps I'm taking on my trip to have a blast and still save a ton of cash. Hopper Hopper's an airfare forecasting app that predicts when to book your flight for the best available price. After you select your dates and destination, Hopper's ... Read more

HOW TO: Use peer-to-peer payment apps without getting ripped off

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI8DiGuOygw If you’re like more than half of American these days, you’re likely using a peer-to-peer payment platform like Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, to name a few, to send someone cash with the tap of an app. I’ve used them to split the bill at dinner, pay my mom back for an impromptu clothes shopping spree, and divvy-up class project costs for kids. It saves the hassle of stopping off at an ATM every time you go out, the risk of walking around with a wad of cash in your wallet, or eyerolls of telling someone, “the check’s in the mail.” The use of these apps is growing. Nearly 60% of people in the U.S. use them, and that number rises close to 80% for young ... Read more

High Tech Flu Fighters!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFVvd74nxlM NOTE: An edited version of this story originally ran in USA Today print and online: 2/19/18. Can the latest gadgets and apps help save us from this year’s killer flu? As one of the worst influenza outbreaks on record sweeps across America like a deadly virus from the movie Outbreak, that’s a question hundreds of scientists, inventors, and health officials are working feverishly to answer. While a handful of futuristic fixes are most certainly in the works — like a flu breathalyzer, far UVC flu-bug zapping light, and next-gen take home lab in a box — they’re not available yet. The good news? There are still a handful of high-tech flu-fighters ... Read more

GIFT GUIDE: These Valentine gifts will make him crazy happy!

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  1. Samsung Gear Sport Watch (Around $250) 2. HyperIce Vyper 2.0 Speed Vibrating Foam Roller for Muscles ($199): This is no wimpy massager. It's made tough enough for men, to work all the knots out for good! 3. IN1 Tool Black Phone Case Blue Tools (Around $10) 4. Arcade Classics - Pac-Man Retro Mini Arcade Game (Around $20) 5. Groove Ring ($30): I love these rings! Active people know that they can't perform if their gear doesn't keep them safe. Rock-climbers, riders, doctors, you name it, anyone who uses their hands a lot, wears these all the freaking time. Groove rings offer a soft and supple outer band. No metal. 6. DJI Mavic Air ($799): If you really love him, this ... Read more

GIFT GUIDE: Last minute gifts for WOMEN that she’ll love!

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If you like her, get her this. There's still time. Mostly. Well, okay, a photo with a nice card that it's on it's way at least. The app Giftagram can land an awesome present in her lap within a few quick minutes. You're welcome. Quick links to everything below! 1. Gorgeous Jewelry! (Starts at $78): Recycled Computer Parts! Dell and Nikki Reed created this beautiful new jewelry collection, dubbed “The Circular Collection” as part of their Legacy of Good Program. The artist used gold from recycled computer motherboards to create a beautiful jewelry collection that includes earrings, rings and cufflinks. The pricing for the jewelry line ranges from $78.00 to $348.00 and is available to ... Read more

GIFT GUIDE: GALENTINE’S Gifts for Awesome Women!

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I have so many badass, smart, strong, amazing women in my life. They are all ages, into all different sorts of things, and live all over the world. Here's what I'm giving them this Galentine's Day - hopefully to make them feel loved and EMPOWERED all year long! (Click on the link to buy or explore each item more, directly from this site.)** 1. INKBOX temporary tattoo ink ($30+): Real tattoos might be a little much my BFF and I, so I'm going with these instead: semi-permanent tattoos. Starting at $20, buy some freehand ink from Inkbox, and add some custom or DIY designs. These last for eight to 18 days. 2. You Matter Mug  ($22.95): Because you do, you know. Sweet sentiment for morning ... Read more

HOW TO: Use VR to feel like you’re at the Olympics (for cheap)! Hint: We’re hooked!

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NOTE: This story first ran in the national print edition of USA Today on 2/8/2018 and is available via USA Today online here. USA Today Story: I’m riding shotgun in an Olympic bobsled, rocketing some 90 mph down a snow-dusted chute in South Korea. A few seconds later, I’m spinning on the ice with a figure skater, just a breath away from leaping into a quadruple jump. And then, I’m in a snowboarder's icy spray as he takes off for a last spectacular series of twists and flips, preparing for halfpipe gold. I’ve been previewing the 2018 Winter Olympics with Intel True VR — and it is spectacular. When the Olympics kick off with the opening ceremonies Friday in Pyeongchang, South Korea, ... Read more

NYT TRAVEL SHOW 2018: Here’s what I talked about, links to apps and gadgets!

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For those of you in the audience at the NYT Travel Show - THANK YOU! I've highlighted the apps and gadgets that I mentioned during the seminar so that you can click directly on the word and it will take you either to the company's website or to an Amazon page where you can buy it. I look forward to any feedback you provide and please feel free to contact me through social media or the contact form on this website anytime. Best, Jennifer THE GEAR I CARRY Number one – The right suitcase: This is what I suggest you splurge on - $200 and up – Splurge on the right luggage for you. Computer Case/Bag - Briggs and Riley Cabin Bag  OGIO or Timbuk 2 Backpack Inside, I ... Read more