Futurelawyer

CES 2019 Las Vegas - What's New And Exciting

Must-See From CES 2019 Las Vegas - CNET. You don't have to go to Las Vegas to get information on all the new tech and gadgets we will see in 2019. You should go at least once, however, just to soak in the atmosphere. The most exciting thing I saw in the online reports was LG's innovative roll up TV. If you have ever used a projection screen that is rolled up into a metal tube that sits on the floor, you will recognize this TV. But, the coolest thing is that you can buy this one in 2019. If you have a few thousand dollars, of course.

Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen) Same Price - Better Device

Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen) Review: Better In Every Way. I am perfectly happy with my first generation Echo Show devices. I have one on my desk at home and at the office. Video and big sound bring the Internet alive and there are thousands of skills that allow voice command. You can watch movies, videos, listen to the world's music, and even have video calls with other users. The new generation is sleeker, and better in every way, and a bargain at $229. However, I used mine when SWMBO was sick, and, while it is not very Stoic of me, I have an attachment to them. They work fine, and, unless there is a compelling reason to switch, I don't recommend paying over $200 for the new ones. However, if you haven't joined the smart speaker revolution, the 2d gen device is the one to buy. I use the "Echo" command to wake mine up, in order to distinguish between the Echo Dot devices I have around. The new ones will be able to show live TV soon. Now, let's get this day started: "Echo, play the Ride of the Valkyries by the London Philharmonic from Apocalypse Now". Nothing like Wagner to wake you up in the morning.

Star Trek: Discovery Season Two Coming In January, 2019

Star Trek: Discovery season 2: How to watch, release date, cast, plot and more - CNET. Season Two of the StarTrek Discovery series is coming in January, and the prequel to the original series looks interesting. If you liked Season One, the introduction of Spock, and Captain Pike and the original Enterprise, with modern special effects will be a hoot. You need to subscribe to CBS All Access for $5.99 a month to see it. Well worth it. 

Your Cable Box Is Obsolete

Cable TV Set-Top Boxes Are Becoming Obsolete, So Why Is The FCC Trying To Regulate Them?. The number of people watching TV on Smart TVs, or with smart devices like Roku sticks or Fire TV sticks increased 43% in one year. The reduction in households using Cable or Satellite TV boxes is astounding. The realization that I could watch Cable or Satellite channels through my XBox One, or my Fire TV sticks, or my Roku sticks, using the 300 mbs broadband Internet signal I was already paying for was a revelation. I am saving $200 a year just by getting rid of most of the home boxes, and both of the Office boxes. When I brought the heavy, unwieldy things to the Cable store last week, I really removed a load from my back. Even the cable companies and channel providers see the handwriting on the wall, as they all are providing separate Internet channels that can be watched on any Smart device. No more unsightly cables all over the house. No more dust bunnies behind the boxes. No more carrying boxes back and forth. And, no more having to rent the boxes from the cable and satellite companies. Nirvana.

Live TV Streaming Services - Can You Really Cut The Cord?

Live TV Streaming Services - Online | Sling TV. I have been playing around with various online TV services; primarily because I am at my computer all day, and, occasionally, I want to zone out for a while. I have Cable TV at home, with bundled Internet and Phone; but, I tend to watch on my Roku stick, using the cable TV app. I find more variety; but, the rest of the household watches Cable, so I keep it. On my computer, phone and tablet, however, I have access to all the Cable channels, but my cable provider limits channel access when away from the home network. So, at work and on the move, I use the online services. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are no brainers, and cheap. Amazon is included in the Amazon subscription, and Netflix is only $11.99 a month. I also pay $5.99 for CBS Access, which has some exclusive programming like Star Trek. But, alas, if I want NFL Network and NFL RedZone, I am forced to go to Sling TV. But, for $25, plus $10 for the sports package, I now have NFL Network and RedZone anywhere I am. Flash. You don't need, or want, to pay $300  a year for the DirectTV NFL package. RedZone is sufficient. Stay away from Hulu for two reasons. One, you can only get it on one home WiFi network, and it costs $45 a month and up for Live TV. Plus, football fans, no NFL Network or RedZone. A regular Hulu subscription for $7.99 will get you access to the Hulu programming you want. FutureLawyer...no time for TV, but always looking out for you.

How Big Is Your Monitor?

JVC 55" Class 4K Ultra HD (2160P) HDR Smart LED TV with Built-in Chromecast (LT-55MA875) - Walmart.com. You can't be too thin, too rich, or have too big a computer monitor. I bought this 55 inch JVC for my office, and it is a steal at $299. The text is crisp, the image is bright and beautiful, and my old eyes can see every detail of my documents. It is even large enough to split screen my Windows view. I have added a photo of the monitor at my desk. 

The Fonz Meets The Lone Ranger

We need the Lone Ranger now, more than ever.

 

Oculus Go TV Hub And More. VR Goes Mainstream.

Oculus%u2019 VR television hub launches today on Oculus Go - The Verge. When I first wrote about Oculus Go, the affordable VR headset, I was blown away by the fact that it was completely self-contained. No phone required. It connects to WiFi, and the number and variety of apps is amazing. It even has self contained speakers and microphone. I wondered why it needed a mike until today. Oculus has added voice control to the headset, which permits searching and launching with your voice. The new TV app is also pretty cool, as you can launch Premium TV , like Netflix and Hulu, and other streaming apps, along with alternative TV like Pluto, and YouTube, plus much more. The screen hangs in front of you while you sit in a VR room that changes. The screen is the equivalent of a 180 inch wall sized screen, and it is easy to become immersed in the effect. I recommend getting the 65 GB version for $249, so you will have room for all the channels and video you will be downloading. If  you have been waiting for VR to go mainstream, this is the time. In fact, this light little headset will make a great traveling companion. In a pinch, use your own phone on WiFi mode, or, in my case, a TMobile WiFi puck, and carry your TV with you anywhere. Old guys like me, who spend a lot of time in Doctor and Hospital waiting rooms, now can make that time enjoyable. No more old magazines for me. Make your own coffee for a couple of weeks, and give Starbucks a break. You'll be glad you did.

Like HouseGuests, SmartTVs Aren't Welcome After A While

The best smart TV is a dumb display and a streaming stick | Android Central. Smart this. Smart that. Smart TVs are monitors that have streaming capabilities baked in; and, which can connect to the Internet for all the WiFi goodness that implies. However, streaming technology is always improving; and, after a year or so, that Smart TV doesn't look so smart anymore. Get a $40 dongle from Amazon or Google, and plug it in to one of the HDMI ports on the back of a plain old TV display. Then, when you get an updated dongle, just plug it in, and your old TV is new again. Duh.

Oculus TV - A 180 Inch TV Display On Your Head

Oculus TV arrives today with a promising, though questionable, start. I have been having fun with the new Oculus Go VR Headset, which is a standalone device that the user wears, and which creates a passable VR experience. It has built in speakers, and doesn't require a phone. Thus, no email, or other interruptions while watching VR content. Oculus TV gives the user a virtual 180 inch screen to watch Netflix, Pluto TV, and other content, with the promise that the future will bring more content to the user's headset. Private, huge screen viewing. Now, you can watch NFL games privately without creating a political incident. Happy viewing.