BLOG

Do you love watching movies and TV?  Are you a mega fan that can never miss a show?  Are you terribly busy and find it hard to watch your favs when they air?  The struggle is real, we get it!  So to help out, check out this list of the best streaming devices to watch TV your way, on your time.  Most of these devices have a long list of apps, including Netflix, Hulu, and other favorites.  But each has it’s own perks and exclusives, so choose wisely.

Roku 3

The third incarnation of Roku’s flagship streamer is the most comprehensive to date, sporting more than 2,000 channels, an intuitive cross-platform search utility, and an excellent user interface.  The puck-sized device is attractive and subtle, and equipped with nonskid rubber and enough weight to prevent it from getting shuffled around in your entertainment center.  The remote is simple, but allows snappy navigation of Roku’s extremely intuitive channel-based interface, and best of all, features a built-in headphone jack for wireless listening when turning up the TV volume is a no-go.  Wi-Fi is built in, but an Ethernet port is available if a faster connection is needed.  A microSD slot for additional app and game storage is a feature unique to the Roku.  The Roku 3 retails for $100 and can be purchased at Amazon, Walmart, and major electronic retailers.  Learn More

Apple TV

The Apple TV is getting a little grey — But there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Apple has announced a new model (coming soon) that boasts the best user experience, including the Siri remote.  The current Apple TV still remains one of the best offerings on our list— especially if you’re already heavily-invested in any of Apples other devices or services.  While most essential services are supported,  it is Apple Airplay and apps like iOS Remote that makes the Apple TV’s user experience unique.  You can easily beam any content you’ve previously purchased or rented through the iTunes Store to your TV straight from the cloud, freeing your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad up to do other things.  Sharing personal photos and videos from iOS devices is easiest with the Apple TV.  It may be a little old, but the Apple TV is still going strong.  The Apple TV retails for $70 (future model est. $149) and can be purchased at Amazon, Apple Store, Walmart, and Major electronic retailers.  Learn More

Amazon Fire TV

Amazon’s first go at a streaming set-top box instantly became a hit among members of the company’s Prime service, which delivers tons of free streaming movies and TV shows and a handy voice-search feature to get at them more easily.  But the super-slim and speedy box will appeal to anyone with subscriptions to other services like Netflix and Hulu.  Amazon also made the device compatible with a dedicated video game controller (sold separately at $40), which is designed to work with a wide array of mobile games such as Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto III.  As the devices on this list go, the Fire TV is the most versatile and well-supported, it even plays 4k video content.  To get the most out of this device it is best to have a Prime membership.  The Amazon Fire TV retails for $100 and can be purchased at Amazon and Walmart. Learn More

Google Nexus

After canning its first attempt at a streaming media player, Google returned to the set-top box field in the fall of 2014 with the Asus-made Nexus Player.  It offers similar capabilities to Amazon’s Fire TV, allowing for voice-activated searching and personalized recommendations, along with integrated gaming if you decide to opt for an optional gaming controller.  The Android-powered and Google-backed device has been slowly but surely adding apps, and Chromecast-style “casting” ability makes it easy for friends and family to share content from their smartphones and tablets.  The only downside is no Ethernet port, which seems like an odd omission for a set-top box.  Still, for the Google (Andriod) lover this is a no brainer.  The Google Nexus retails for $170 and can be purchased at Amazon, Asus, Walmart, and Major electronic retailers.  Learn More

Consoles (Xbox One, PS4, WiiU)

Did you know that game consoles do a lot more than just play games these days.  Video game consoles rank as the most popular devices for streaming content to your TV.   The systems have quickly become a jack-of-all-trades media centers, conveniently giving you access to scores of programming from the likes of HBO Go, NFL Network, Netflix, and Hulu. Several other devices on our list provide gaming, but as you might expect, the next-gen consoles blow all mobile games out of the water in terms of graphics resolution and playability.  The downside?  These are much more expensive option with the Xbox One retailing for $349, PS4 for $399, and the WiiU for $299.  Consoles can be purchased at Amazon, Walmart, and Major electronic retailers.

With the holiday season just around the corner, now is the time to start stocking up on all those nerdy delights for your gamer loved ones.  So on this Holiday Gaming Review we run down the list of up coming releases that you can grab before the big red guy drops from the chimney.

Halo 5: Guardians

First up is the long awaited return of the Master Chief! ( pause for cheers and applause)  I know that 343 Industries filled the gap with the forgettable collective that was the The Master Chief edition, but it has been 3 years since the last Halo.  As always Halo 5 will be a Xbox One exclusive, sorry Sony fans.  Microsoft is keeping the story specifics under wraps, the company now says the story events set into motion in Halo 5 will forever change the overall universe in “really important ways.”  After the events of Halo 5, the story “will never be the same,” said 343.  Multiplayer is always the most anticipated game mode, you can likely expect some creative re-imagined world, characters, and weapons.  And let’s not forget the soundtrack that is always a highlight and a master piece of it’s own.  Halo 5: Guardians drops October 27th only on Xbox One.  LINK

Rise of the Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider is a genius re-mastering of the franchise.  If you have not yet played the latest Tomb Raider from Square Enix you are missing out.  You can likely find a copy for $20 from your console store or Steam.  The follow up is Rise of the Tomb Raider.  An epic, high-octane action game set in the most beautiful yet hostile environments on earth, Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers a cinematic survival action adventure where you take Lara Croft on her first tomb raiding expedition as she seeks to discover the secret of immortality.  A truly original experience and story line with plenty of opportunities to show your skill.  Expect a much improved multiplayer mode this year, as the last was left lacking.  Rise of the Tomb Raider hits shelves November 10th on Xbox One and 360.  Expect PS4 and PC release in 2016.  LINK

Star War Battlefront

Get ready to be taken to a galaxy far, far away!  Star Wars Battlefront is almost here…about time!  Arguably the most anticipated game this and likely last year, Battlefront is an action shooter that allows the player to switch between first and third person view.  Choose between a Rebel Alliance soldier or an Imperial Stormtrooper as you traverse planets from the Star Wars universe, such as Endor, Hoth, Tatooine and the newly introduced planet of Sullust.  There will also be playable characters from the films, such as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Boba Fett.  The game includes cooperative missions which can be played offline but does not have a campaign mode.  The game’s online multiplayer mode supports up to 40 players in one match and 12 multiplayer maps will be available at launch.  Star Wars Battlefront drops November 17th on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.  LINK

Bonus Games

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Oct 23rd

Call of Duty Black Ops III – November 6th

Fallout 4 – November 10th

Just about everyone has had the unfortunate event of losing family photos, favorite music/movies, or important documents due to an unexpected hard drive fail.  Well if you haven’t yet migrated your important data to “The Cloud”, well maybe now is the time.  Cloud storage has been around for quite awhile and there are many options to choose from, let’s breakdown just a few of the best options.

What is the “The Cloud”?

“The Cloud” is an online digital hard drive service provided by a company.  Cloud storage can provide greater accessibility and reliability; rapid deployment; strong protection for data backup, archival and disaster recovery purposes; and lower overall storage costs as a result of not having to purchase, manage and maintain expensive hardware.

Benefits & Disadvantages

There are many benefits to using cloud storage, most notable is file accessibility.  Files stored in the cloud can be accessed at any time from any place so long as you have Internet access.  Another benefit is that cloud storage provides people with off-site backups of data which reduces costs associated with disaster recovery. Unfortunately, the biggest disadvantage to cloud storage is that users are limited by bandwidth.  If your Internet connection is slow or unstable, you might have problems accessing or sharing your files.

Options

Dropbox

Dropbox, alongside Box, made file-syncing a household term. Dropbox remains a superbly implemented, cloud-based, automatic, file-synchronization service that’s ideal for accessing and sharing data from nearly anywhere. You only get 2GB free to start, but you can earn more space through referrals and other tasks. Dropbox Pro plans cost $9.99 per month or $99 per year for 1TB.
Available on: Windows, Mac, Linux, Web, Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Kindle Fire

OneDrive

Microsoft’s OneDrive has been quietly hosting people’s documents and photos for years. And all the while Microsoft has been honing the service. You’ll get 15GB just for signing up, plus the ability to earn more free space through actions and referrals. The company has made OneDrive a cornerstone of Windows 8, so users of that platform may find it one of the most convenient services.
Available on: Windows, Mac, Web, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows Tablet, Xbox

Google Drive

Part online collaborative office suite, and part cloud storage platform, Google Drives offers everything you need to stay productive. Google Drive also has downloadable desktop programs that enable file syncing. Another perk is that files you create in Google Drive, as opposed to those you upload, don’t count toward your already-generous, free 15GB storage allotment. Paid accounts start at $1.99 per month for 100GB, and you can get 1TB for $9.99 per month. For collaborative projects, it’s one sweet package. It is Google, though, and some people may not be comfortable with its privacy terms and conditions.
Available on: Windows, Mac, Web, Chrome, Android, iOS

IDrive

You’d be hard-pressed to find an online backup solutions with as many features as IDrive. For $59.50 per year, IDrive gives you 1TB of storage, apps for just about every platform, file syncing, and more. A free account offers 5GB of space, which isn’t too shabby for anyone interested in trying out this wonderful online backup service.
Available on: Windows, Mac, Web, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Linux/Unix

SugarSnyc

Among file-syncing services, SugarSync remains the most intuitive. SugarSync is similar to Dropbox, only it lets you sync any files and folders you want while preserving your folder structure. There’s no need to move all your content for syncing into a Dropbox-like folder, although if you’re more comfortable with that method, SugarSync’s Magic Briefcase will do the trick. There is no truly free account with SugarSync, although you can try it out for 90 days. Among paid plans, a 100GB account costs $9.99 per month or $74.99 per year. A 500GB account costs $39.99 per month or $249.99 per year, with the first year discounted to $124.99. SugarSync also has excellent and intuitive mobile apps.
Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android

iCloud

Veteran file-syncing users may be thrown for a loop by the confusing nature of Apple iCloud Drive. It’s a good service for avid Apple app users, but at $19.99 per month for 1TB and only 5GB free, it’s expensive and not the easiest service to use. The baked-in features that work seamlessly with iOS and Mac OS X are useful, however.
Available on: Mac, Windows, Web, iOS