Download Before You Go This Summer

7/3/2018

Download Before You Go

As you pack your travel essentials for your summer road trip, long weekend at the beach or a lazy day at the pool, there’s one thing you might be forgetting. Wherever you go, your favorite shows and stars can come with you. Whether you’re sitting shotgun or flying at 30,000 feet, you can always access your favorite shows and movies on the go.

Download Before You Go This Summer

New and classic shows to watch on the road in July

(Family Features) As you pack your travel essentials for your summer road trip, long weekend at the beach or a lazy day at the pool, there’s one thing you might be forgetting. Wherever you go, your favorite shows and stars can come with you.

Allowing you to download shows and movies to your smartphone or tablet, an option like Netflix helps you be ready to stream anywhere, anytime, even without WiFi. With so many new titles coming this month, the time is now to take advantage of this convenient feature. Whether you’re sitting shotgun or flying at 30,000 feet, you can always access your favorite shows and movies on the go.

This month, you won’t want to miss Jerry Seinfeld in his latest talk show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: Brewed Fresh for 2018, where he mixes his two loves: classic cars and comedy. Every episode, Seinfeld interviews a comedian while they drive around in a classic car and stop for a cup of coffee. Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal provides a new adventure with even more laughs. Follow Rosenthal as he travels to Copenhagen, Ireland, Capetown, Buenos Aires and beyond to find the best local restaurants in Somebody Feed Phil: The Second Course.

These are just a couple of the new titles you can find on the service this July. Find more information about countless shows and movies, sign up for a one-month free trial and set up your account atNetflix.com.

TV shows and movies on Netflix This Month

As an alternative to endless summer re-runs, there is always something new to watch on-demand. Whether you’re into comedy, documentaries, drama or anything in-between, you can find those genres and more by going to Netflix.com to sign up. Here’s some old favorites as well as new content available to watch this month:

Chocolat
Starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche, this film is based on the novel by Joanne Harris, in which a woman and her daughter open a chocolate shop in a small French village that shakes up the rigid morality of the community. (Available July 1)

Jurassic Park
In this 1993 Steven Spielberg classic, starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, a theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok. (Available July 1 with the entire trilogy coming to the service this month)

Finding Neverland
This 2004 remake of the children’s classic Peter Pan follows the life of author J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) who, upon meeting the widowed Sylvia (Kate Winslet) and her four sons, is inspired to write a play about a group of children who don’t want to grow up. (Available July 1)

Anne with an E: Season 2
Based on the classic coming of age story, Anne, a 13-year-old orphan in the late 19th century, is back for a second season as she maneuvers her way through tough circumstances with an unmatched enthusiasm for life. (Available July 6)

Amazing Interiors: Season 1
They might look ordinary on the outside, but inside, these stunning homes have some jaw-dropping secrets to reveal. (Available July 20)

Last Chance U: INDY: Part 1
This Original series returns to give viewers an intense, unfiltered look at a rising junior college football program, where guys with red flags seek to prove their worth on the field and in the classroom in Independence, Kansas. (Available July 20)

SOURCE:
Netflix

KEYWORDS

advice ×
binge ×
binge watching ×
device ×
diversions ×
entertainment ×
Family Features ×
hacks ×
home entertainment ×
lifehacks ×
movies ×
Netflix ×
series ×
streaming ×
tablet ×
tablets ×
television ×
tips ×
travel ×
video ×
viewing ×
watch

5 steps to a smart home

7/21/2017

(BPT) - When it comes to technology, smarter is better. There are smart watches, smart televisions and just about everyone has a smartphone.

So what about a smart home?

Smart thermostats and lighting timers represent the first steps toward smart home technology for many homeowners, but in a lot of cases, they were the only steps. Since then, technology has continued to develop, and today there are scores of home goods that can talk to one another while allowing you total control of your home from your smartphone, tablet or another device.

It all sounds so simple, so perfect, yet many consumers remain confused on how to make the most of smart home technology in their house. Instead of finding the installation welcoming, they see it as daunting and expensive.

This doesn’t have to be the case. Installing — and enjoying — smart home technology in your house is easier than you think. Follow these five simple steps and your home will be a smart home in no time.

* Determine what you’d like to control remotely or automate based on time. Having total control of your home sounds great, but it also leads to total responsibility and sometimes you don’t need all that. For example, lighting solutions are a popular automated option. The smart dimmer by Leviton allows you to dim and time lighting to meet your needs once you download the app, providing you increased functionality all from your smartphone or tablet.

* Select technology that works with your home. When you're shopping for products — like lighting switches — you should always be mindful of functionality. For example, does your home operate on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth? Understand the base functionalities of your home and you'll streamline your shopping process.

* Seek professional help. If you’re concerned about your ability to set up your smart home technology successfully, don’t be afraid to seek out some guidance. Call on your contractor to assist you in the installation. You can also download helpful guides and how-to instructions from the manufacturer’s website. The more information you have before beginning the project, the more comfortable you’ll be with the installation.

* Download the proper apps. The key to your home’s smart technology lies in the corresponding apps. Make sure you’ve downloaded the right one to match your system. Many smart home technologies offer both iPhone and Android apps to provide the functionality control you need.

* Set your schedule and optimize as needed. Your smart home is an ever-evolving machine, and the more time you take to continually customize your preferences, the more you’ll get from your system. Establish your initial schedule and then add voice control through Amazon, Google or Apple. Finally, don't be afraid to make continued improvements. You’ve already tackled the biggest hurdle of installing your system, and the ongoing small adjustments you add will make your system great.

To learn more about today’s smart homes and lighting technologies available from companies such as Leviton, visit www.Leviton.com/DecoraSmart.

KEYWORDS:

Brandpoint Content ×
BPT ×
smart home ×
appliances ×
control ×
smartphone ×
home ×
home entertainment ×
thermostat ×
tablet ×
apps ×
lighting ×
security

5 Ways to Make the Most of Tech Gifts

1/22/2016

Comments

5 Ways to Make the Most of Tech Gifts

(Family Features) No matter the occasion – holidays, birthdays or promotions – technology gifts are always on the top of wish lists. With today’s devices spanning a wide range of price points and features, selecting the right item is just the beginning. When buying a tech gift, there are several things to keep in mind.

Ensure your intended gets maximum enjoyment from your tech gift with these tips.

Features and functions. It can be tempting to buy the latest model with a plethora of fancy functions, but if the person you’re buying for won’t use them, you may be better off saving money on a version with a lighter feature package. Remember, too, that for those with little tech experience, the excess can be overwhelming. Your best bet: shop for the features you need, but don’t over-reach.
Support and guidance. Who doesn’t want a tech hero waiting in the wings to answer questions, help with set up and solve problems? With so many tech gadgets connecting via apps through your smartphone, you may be surprised to learn that your wireless company offers comprehensive tech support from Asurion. Tech experts are available via chat, phone and email to provide help across any device or platform. They can help with things such as troubleshooting a specific operating system or connecting devices to a digital home network.
Power source. Even devices with superior battery life run out of juice eventually. Help extend the usability of your tech gift by supplying extra batteries or a charging plug if they aren’t included in the original packaging. Or consider a car charging system to help restore battery life on the go.
Add-on accessories. The market for tech devices is far and wide with options that simply add some bling to more practical choices that help protect devices from damage. Most devices don’t truly require many additional accessories, but covers and cases that help protect devices against dropping are a smart investment. Other smart bets are accessories that will enhance the product’s use, such as a pair of quality headphones.
Smartphone protection. An insurance plan helps protect your purchase from loss, theft and accidental damage, ensuring it can be enjoyed longer. Research your options before shopping, and be sure to thoroughly explore the coverage plans; typically only your wireless carrier offers comprehensive coverage for both loss and theft. Other third party products usually only cover accidental damage and may have other restrictions to limit coverage.

Asurion partners with the leading wireless carriers so shoppers can easily add premier support and protection when shopping for technology gifts for friends and family. Learn more at asurion.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Asurion

Comments

The Tech IDEA