What to look for in a good Chromebook
What to look for in a good Chromebook
from the desk of Rich on Tech
Hello there!
Hope you’re doing well. The most common phrases I say these days are “what crazy times,” and “I can’t believe this has gone on for this long.”
The days continue to run into each other, and while many of us have settled into new routines, there is still so much uneasiness about when we might finally be able to get back into more normal times.
And with school starting, it’s back to business for kids and parents - many of which are working under the same roof (and WiFi!)
Anyway, as you can see, last week I had a chance to get out of town a bit, we visited Santa Barabara for our wedding anniversary and it was fantastic. They have really embraced the entire outdoor lifestyle there.
This picture is from our hike up to Inspiration Point, highly recommended but more challenging than I expected.
Now, let’s get started, shall we?
What to look for in a good Chromebook
I’m getting so many back to school questions and Chromebooks are at the top of the shopping list.
There are a lot of terrible Chromebooks out there - slow, laggy, and frustrating. I consulted Kimber Streams of the tech review site Wirecutter. Streams has been testing Chromebooks for years now and tells you exactly what to look for.
Inexpensive work from home gadgets
Working from home also means that many of us are constantly looking for the little things that will make life easier. I rounded up a few gadgets that can help, including a flexible phone mount, fun webcam covers, a USB-C power adapter that can charge your gadgets faster and an unlocked mobile hotspot.
Samsung’s new earbuds are a winner
I am really loving Samsung’s latest wireless earbuds, called the Galaxy Buds Live. They have a really unique design that resembles a bean but they are super comfortable and offer a bit of active noise cancellation. I say a bit because it’s not as pronounced as the noise canceling on the AirPods Pro. Also, these are $170 versus $250 for Apple’s top of the line earbuds.
The other thing I like about the Buds Live is that they don’t completely seal out your ears - you can still be aware of what’s happening around you when they’re in. Also, they are the most comfortable earbuds I’ve ever worn. You can easily go long periods of time with them in your ears and you might even forget they’re there.
And yes, they work with both Androids and iPhones.
Create the perfect backyard movie night
Movie theaters are out right now (although AMC did say this week they’re reopening some theaters in September) and many people are using their backyards for an outdoor movie night.
What’s not to love? You’re watching a movie under the stars and there’s something so neat about seeing a movie projected on such a big screen.
I consulted tech guru Lance Ulanoff about what to look for in a good outdoor projector. There are so many to choose from and they are mostly brand names you’ve never heard of. Also, some of these supplies are in tight demand as everyone has the same idea right now.
But when it’s all said and done, the kids and family will love it.
Rich on Tech Podcast
In my podcast, I talk about the tech stuff I think you should know about and answer the questions you send me. And wow, are you sending a lot of them these days.
Discussed in this week’s show:
Initial hands-on impressions of Samsung's latest products including the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Tab S7, Watch3, Buds Live; Fortnite fight with Apple and Google; Microsoft Surface Duo; Instagram Reels; Android Earthquake features; how to keep your phone safe from tracking; Google's new way to find where sports games are streaming live or on TV.
Listeners ask about using the least possible data on their phone, the best software to protect from hackers, getting better Wifi at home, Peloton bike alternatives and search engines that protect your privacy.
Search “rich on tech” to listen in your favorite podcast or click here:
https://bit.ly/RichOnTechPodcast
Tech Tidbits
Google is now sending automatic earthquake early warning alerts to Android users and turning Android phones into mini seismometers
Microsoft’s dual-screen Android phone/mini-computer, called the Duo, is now on sale.
I love these germ-killing tech cleaning wipes I found at Walgreens.
Just a little quirk
I’ve been testing out the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra and it’s a powerful phone. The camera can zoom 50x (although it’s only useful up to about 20x) and it has just about every feature you can imagine. I’ll have my full review on KTLA this week, but in the meantime, you can check out a few things I’ve been playing with including video zoom, zoom for photos, sunset pics, and oh yeah, this little quirk.
Don’t worry, I don’t think too many people will use this phone without a case. Later, I put one on and the wobble stopped.
Tweet of the week
That’s all, folks!
That’s going to do it for this week. If you want to get a jump start on your Halloween decorations, check out this high tech pumpkin called Jabberin’ Jack. Can you tell I love this stuff?!?
Have a fantastic week, stay safe out there and please forward this newsletter to a friend who can use it. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
If you liked this, hit that heart below to let me know!
Thanks!
Rich