Did you know your smart speaker can double as a safety device? Here’s how yours can alert you to smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, even when you’re not home.
Don't buy these 10 obsolete products
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Have any old gadgets around? Your dusty phones, boomboxes and gaming consoles can be worth a fortune. Here’s a list of items to fatten your wallet.
“New” is a relative term when it comes to tech. One product can remain on the shelves for years while another is replaced annually. The impact this has on your buying decisions can vary. Purchasing last year’s toaster oven may mean missing out on the new air fryer, but it’s not the same as getting an older smart speaker.
Here’s why you should avoid buying specific outdated tech.
End of Life
When a product leaves the market, it’s known as End of Life or EOL. This could result from introducing a newer product, low sales, or other reasons. EOS is sometimes used interchangeably with EOS or End of Sale.
EOL does not necessarily mean the manufacturer will stop supporting the product, but this is inevitable as time goes on. Replacement parts will also become more difficult to find.
End of Service Life/Support
A product pulled from shelves can have support from the manufacturer as long as they’re willing to offer it. When that’s removed, it’s known as the End of Service Life (EOSL).
Support could come in many forms, from producing spare parts to software updates and patches. The latter is critical regarding tech, whether it’s a physical product or software.
Without updates, your phone, smart speakers, security cameras, operating systems, browsers and routers become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Developers are constantly working to stay ahead of hackers, and you should always have the latest updates to protect yourself.
As a general rule, connected devices and apps that haven’t had an update in 12 months can seriously compromise your privacy and personal information. Go through your tech at least twice a year and determine which ones might be outdated. Then, either update their software or get rid of them.
Here are 10 products to avoid. If you already have them, stop using them.
5 ways tech can make your Thanksgiving easier and more fun
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The holiday season is here and you’re sending out family photos that include your pet. So is everyone else. Want to command the best real estate on your recipients’ refrigerators? Tap or click here for creative ways to include your pet in this year’s holiday cards.
Buying guide: How to choose an Amazon Echo for your home
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The holidays are just around the bend. Are you ready? Finding the best gifts takes time, energy, and research, which is why we’re here to remind you to get the ball rolling early.
You’re not alone if you’re considering an Amazon Echo device for yourself or a loved one. When it comes to your next smart speaker, you’ve got plenty of models to consider. Amazon’s line of Echo smart speakers tends to rise to the top above all else. Tap or click for clever ways to use your Echo and Alexa.
Tech tip: Use an Amazon Echo as an affordable Life Alert alternative
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Your smart speaker can remind you of appointments, give you a heads up on the weather, give you a wake-up call, tell a joke, set the mood for movie night, get the news and much more.
Add a video screen and you get access to many more cool features. Let’s start with a simple one. Did you know that you can turn your Amazon Echo Show into a digital photo frame? Tap or click here to find out how.
Top auto execs reveal the truth about EV sales
If you buy an EV, will it be a trick or a treat? I unpack why many are fearful to buy. Plus, Kristen seeks a privacy-centric smart speaker for her 80-year-old aunt.
New Amazon Echo screen moves with you and it's available to preorder now
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Echo smart devices have come a long way since they first hit the market. Not only are there original Echo speakers, but there are a ton of different and upgraded devices available now, too.
There’s a reason Echo devices are so popular. They are affordable and useful, too. You can use your Alexa-enabled speaker to control smart devices, track schedules, shop for items you need or help with a ton of other tasks. Plus, you can get even more out of your Alexa device with these pro tips.
Our guide to tech worth the money
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It can be tough to decide between the new gadgets you should upgrade to and the ones you should leave on the shelf. Do you really need that expensive new smartwatch or can you get the same features from a more budget-friendly version?