Category: News

Investing in Young People’s Potential in Tech

It’s important that we bring the potential of technology to our young people for their (and our) future.

As Best Buy and Geek Squad bring more teen tech centers online, here is what they’ve learned: The Gift Of Insight: Five Lessons In Preparing Youth For A Tech-Reliant Future.

God Speed, John Glenn. RIP.

“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air….

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
Where never lark, or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
– Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.”

John Gillespie Magee, Jr. – High Flight

Virtual Reality is (finally) here. Mostly.

Virtual Reality has long been a “coming soon” technology, but with the current and upcoming product releases, expect VR to be big on Christmas lists later this year. I spoke to the Arizona Republic recently about today’s biggest virtual reality players, including the Occulus Rift, HTC Vive, andSamsung Gear VR.

My personal pick for the likely winner this year will be the Playstation VR. With 35 million households owning a PS4, I think there will be enough demand for the $499.99 launch bundle to create a sizable base for future growth.

Tips for Stress-Free Parental Tech Support

Every family has that one person they count on to provide some level of tech support. Like many, I’m the go-to guy when my parents have an issue with their tablet, printer or TV.

I was happy to help provide tips to the The Wall Street Journal for their article Are You the Family Tech Support? My tips for those asked to help our their family with tech issues:

  • Reassure your parents: Fear, not smarts, is the biggest hurdle.
  • Find out what your parents were trying to do when the problem happened. Understanding the end goal can help diagnose what went wrong.
  • When possible, have parents do the actual troublehsooting themselves. Knowledge is power – and comfort.
  • Ditch technical terms. Talk in clear, everyday language. When explaining something, us an analogy.
  • Try Skype or Facetime for problem solving from afar. Remote-access programs may also be helpful.
  • Know your limits. If a problem is outside your comfort zone, call a professional.

Cut the Cable, Keep Your Favorite Shows

Family time around the TV

As consumers, you’re probably looking at the best ways to not only shrink your monthly bills, but get the most flexibility over your entertainment. For many, this means looking at “cord-cutting” by replacing an expensive cable package with online streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and more.

Geek Squad Agent Woodworth and I spoke to the Chicago Tribune about things to know when considering cutting that cable cord.