Hope you’re doing well. This week marks my seventh month of working from home. When I set up my home studio back in March, I literally did it in about an hour, thinking that this would last just a few weeks. Well, I was definitely wrong.
At any rate, the tech keeps coming, especially right now. At this point, we’ve now seen nearly all of the major gadget releases for the holiday season, except for the new Xbox and the new PS5. I’ve been playing with a lot of new phones and other gadgets, trying to figure out what’s good and bad about each of them.
Let’s start with the iPhone 12 since that’s going to command most of the attention this holiday season - and be sure to hit that heart above or below so I know that you enjoyed receiving this!
Overall, iPhone events are getting less and less exciting. While the prospect of an upgrade is still fun, the phone itself just continues to be refined. I mean, my iPhone 11 Pro Max is nearly a perfect device - even a year in it’s fast, the software is capable and the camera has been just about perfect.
There are two models of the iPhone 12, then two sizes of each of those models. I break it all down in the quick video below, but what you mainly need to know is that these phones have a new square design (reminiscent of the iPhone 5), faster processors, 5G wireless connections, and improved cameras, especially in low light.
The cameras on the Pro models are even better, and the cameras on the top of the line Pro Max is as good as it gets.
If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the iPhone 12, I highly recommend you download this episode of the Apple Bitz XL Podcast. I joined my old CNET colleague Brian Tong, who is now on his own, to discuss all the nuances of Apple’s presentation at length. We had a blast, and the info is good.
There are going to be a lot of promotions surrounding the iPhone 12. Carriers are excited since they get more monthly payments out of you and in exchange, you get to use their speedy new 5G networks. Well, maybe speedy one day, but in my experience, these networks have a lot of growing up to do.
AT&T is offering new and existing customers the new iPhone for as low as “zero” dollars if you trade in a phone and sign up for an installment plan and an Unlimited plan.
T-Mobile has a deal that will give you two iPhone Pros with 2 new lines of service for $100 a month. Additionally, you can get an iPhone 12 for free or up to $850 off another model by trading in a recent cell phone and getting a new line of service. This is kind of cool - customers that have been with T-Mobile or Sprint for more than 5 years can get $200 off a new phone and combine that with a trade-in value of up to $500 on their current phone.
Verizon says new customers can get an iPhone 12 as low as “free” when you trade in a “select” smartphones and sign up for “select” Unlimited plans. Existing customers can get an iPhone 12 for as low as $15 a month when they trade in a select phone and choose a select unlimited plan. Existing iPhone 8 and 8+ customers can save $250 when they trade-in and sign up for an unlimited plan.
Walmart is offering up to $130 in savings for customers who activate an iPhone 12/Pro on an AT&T or Verizon installment plan through Walmart.com or in-store.
Keep in mind nearly all of these “deals” make you sign up for an installment plan on the equipment (the new contract!) and an unlimited plan for service. Also, when you see “as low as free” that generally means you need to trade in a super new phone to get that deal, like last year’s iPhone.
Not to be outdone, Google also launched some products of its own recently. Specifically, two 5G Pixel phones, an amazing Chromecast with Google TV, and a great-sounding smart speaker.
Personally, I’ve already switched out my Apple TV for the Chromecast with Google TV. The device is just $50 and comes with remote control for the first time.
Basically, Google is doing for streaming services what it did for internet search. Just say what you want to watch and it will surface stuff from all of your streaming subscriptions. I’ve never had an easier time finding things to watch.
I’ve got a full walkthrough in the video below.
As for Pixel 4a 5G and 5 5G, I can definitely recommend the 4a 5G if you just want a solid, somewhat inexpensive Android phone with an excellent camera. You’ll rarely get a bad shot with these devices. Just don’t expect them to be as high powered as the top of the line Samsungs or iPhone.
Finally, the Nest Audio smart speaker. It’s $99 and sounds amazing. It will be an excellent gift to give this holiday season. I’m predicting it will be on sale for cheaper than the list price, so keep an eye out for discounts.
This now ranks as one of the most popular stories I’ve ever presented on TV. I met up with a company that offers lifeline wireless service, aka, free cell phone service for low-income individuals.
It’s nothing fancy, but if you qualify (those on SNAP, Medicaid and now unemployment, do) you can get a free phone line and a free basic Android cell phone.
Recently I headed to Montecito, California and the AMAZINGLY luxurious Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel to check out Wireless CarPlay on the all-new 2021 Nissan Rogue.
It’s tough to explain just how useful Wireless CarPlay is, but once you try it it will be tough to go back to plugging in your phone.
The feature made its debut back in 2017 in a high-end BMW, but it’s finally making its way to more car models.
Did you shop on Amazon Prime Day? I did, but pretty much everything we bought wasn’t on sale. Sad. I did take advantage of the buy a gift card for $40, get a $10 credit.
Otherwise, top-selling items according to Amazon included the iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum, MyQ Wireless & WiFi Enabled Smart Garage Door Opener, LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Vitamins, and Kids Against Maturity: Card Game for Kids and Families. The Echo Dot was the overall top seller.
I made a list of the items I like for Prime Day, but I think I’ll just keep it updated from now on with my ongoing gadget recommendations.
BTW, now Amazon is promoting something new called the “Holiday Dash Event” which is like Prime day but runs through the entire holiday shopping season.
Speaking of shopping, I found a shopping tool from the website Popcart to be super useful. It’s a helper app you add to your web browser, sort of like Honey or Wikibuy, but it pops up while you’re shopping and not just at checkout.
It compares prices of the item you’re looking at against other major retailers including Best Buy, Walmart, Target and many more. It’s clean, efficient and I like how it clearly labels a good deal, or if there’s a better deal out there. It also says how long it will take to get your items from the retailer, which is handy since Amazon is so fast at delivery.
I’m keeping it installed on Chrome, I’ll let you know if that changes.
I’ve rediscovered a really neat app called Photomath. You can take a picture of a math problem and the app will solve it in seconds. Not only that, but the app will show you how it arrived at the answer.
This is handy for parents who are now helping kids with their math homework and might need a “refresher” on how to do things. It’s also good for kids who want to check their work. I know, I know, yes, it can be used to cheat, but I have more faith in people than that.
The app is totally free on iOS and Android, but to get the most out of it, a Premium subscription gets you animated solutions which are pretty amazing. I’m falling in love with math all over again because of this app.
In my podcast, I talk about the tech stuff I think you should know about and it’s where I answer the questions you send me.
In this week’s show:
Apple takes the wraps off iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max; HomePod Mini is now competing with Alexa and Google; iPhone carrier deals; Photomath homework app solves math problems by taking a picture of them; search for a song by humming into Google.
Listeners ask about paying to get a suspended Twitter account reinstated, where to get credit reports for free, best smart speaker for an elderly parent, whether to turn off a computer when not in use and if the Ring alarm system is worth it.
Listen here for free or search “rich on tech” in your favorite audio app
https://bit.ly/RichOnTechPodcast
Apple is no longer including headphones or a power adapter in the iPhone box, but it will still come with a USB-C power cord
That results in a box that’s also smaller
#appleevent
The one thing Apple didn’t mention: the cable they’re now providing with the iPhone 12 has a new, smaller connector at one end that won’t plug into many of its previous power adapters (unless you had an iPhone 11 Pro Max). So you might still need to buy a new power adapter. Otherwise, you can use your old cable and adapter, it might not charge your phone as fast.
Have a fantastic weekend. Reminder: next weekend I’ll be presenting a virtual seminar on Innovative Ways to Stay Connected. There’s still time to sign up and attend for free!
See you then.
Rich
P.S. If you’re not following me on Instagram or Facebook, now is an excellent time.
