Most internet users have likely heard the terms “upload speed” and “download speed” before, but what do these tech terms mean and how are users’ online experiences affected by them? This blog will dig into upload and download speeds, provide definitions and explanations for both terms, and outline the important roles they play in the quality of a user’s internet experience. A Critical Connection Most web-enabled devices, such as smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, tablets and even washing machines, would face mild to severe limitations in their functionality without a strong internet connection. Take a smart TV, for example: While this...

Read More Internet Upload and Download Speeds—What They Are, and Why They’re Important

With the coronavirus pandemic still upon us, this holiday season promises to be distinctly different from the ones American consumers are used to celebrating. This year, the in-person Christmas parties are likely to be few and far between; many family celebrations are bound to be shifted to online video chats rather than gatherings at Grandma’s house; and if the kids can even find a Santa to visit for Christmas-wish-list sharing, he’s likely to be wearing a mask when they sit in his lap — if that’s allowed at all. The holiday shopping season is bound to see some major changes...

Read More Ways Consumers Can Make Their Holiday Shopping Safer (and Smoother) During the Pandemic

Most smartphone owners who regularly communicate via text have fallen victim to the “chatty group text.” And it typically all gets started so innocently. Maybe it’s the youth league parents group discussing when the next practice will be held or perhaps it’s a sizable group of old classmates making plans for the big upcoming reunion. But, whatever the affiliation of the group’s members or the original topic of discussion, somewhere the conversation drifts off course — way off course. And before the group’s unsuspecting members know it, their phones are buzzing a mile a minute with new texts or they...

Read More How to Politely Exit (or Tune Out) an Overly Active Group Text

With today’s array of handheld technology — some of which consumers take with them everywhere — there is no shortage of electronic distractions for 21st century drivers. And even for those who have spent decades behind the wheel, any of these devices can present quite a danger by taking drivers’ eyes off the road. In fact, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving was responsible for more than 2,800 U.S. traffic fatalities in 2018 alone. Many states and municipalities have enacted laws that make distracted driving a crime. But unfortunately, the allure of that ringing...

Read More 6 Ways to Tap the Brakes on Distracted Driving

Today’s connected consumer rarely goes anywhere without his or her smartphone. And for most smartphone users, getting through the day without this ever-more-vital technological tool could present quite a challenge — because beyond simply being a phone, the devices double for many as their alarm clocks, cameras, flashlights, GPS devices/maps, notepads, voice recorders and more. So, needless to say, it can create something of a personal crisis when a smartphone’s battery begins approaching empty and no outside charging source is readily available. But there are a number of ways to speed charging and prolong the battery’s time in the green....

Read More 6 Ways to Make a Smartphone Battery Charge Faster/Last Longer

For those looking to put away some money for the future and (hopefully) see it grow, the stock market offers an attractive investment avenue that — while inherent risks certainly exist — can also offer long-term growth, especially among those who are willing to be patient with their investments. But for upstart investors who are new to the scene, comprehending some of the financial ins and outs required for informed investing — including terms and concepts such as “dividend,” “blue chip” and “limit order” that are commonly used to describe stocks, trading actions and market characteristics — can present a...

Read More 5 Great Research and Educational Websites for Upstart Investors

All loving parents strive to keep their kids safe. And, of course, concern for family members’ well-being extends far beyond the parent-child. While 21st century technology might present some new dangers and challenges such as phishing, online predators and other digital-age risks, it can also lend a helping hand when it comes to keeping an eye out for the health and safety of loved ones. For consumers looking to enlist the help of technology to help keep a watchful eye on their loved ones, these five free apps are worth a look: Find My Kids: This app offers peace of...

Read More 5 Free Apps That Can Help Keep Kids (and Other Family Members) Safer

These days — especially in personal communications via text, in posts on social media and even occasionally even in work-related scenarios — the emoji has become a common (and powerful) way to easily share thoughts or feelings within a digital conversation. After all, as the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. But these digital icons depicting smiley faces, teasing winks, loving hugs and a long list of other emotions aren’t always appropriate and can be frowned upon in official business communications. So when is it OK for denizens of the digital world to employ an emoji...

Read More Emoji Etiquette: When It’s OK to Use Them, and When They Should Be Avoided

For parents who feel the time is right to give their child a cell phone, the move can be a great way to allow an adolescent to enjoy some newfound personal freedoms and, at the same time, learn some tech-related responsibilities. Simultaneously for the parents, giving a child a mobile phone offers a constant, direct line of communication and a way to stay abreast of a child’s location at any time. Often, though, the move can inspire a common finance-related concern among parents, a fear that the child’s data usage on his or her new toy/tool could break the bank....

Read More Tips for Keeping a Kid’s Cellphone Data Costs Under Control