News & Residential Blog

It’s a Friday night and you have the lights off, the house quiet and the popcorn popped as you get pumped to watch the award-winning crime movie on Netflix you have been anxiously waiting to be released. You get into…

TV service with functions that allow viewers to pause, restart or rewind live programming offers users more control over their viewing experiences. Historically, watching live TV was the only way someone could catch news coverage or the latest episode of…

To protect themselves from callers trying to con them out of money or information, people need to understand how different types of phone scams work. Fraudulent calls are more than a nuisance, and when a phone number ends up in…

“Binge-watch” was added to the dictionary in 2017 to describe the new habit of streaming back-to-back episodes of shows on platforms like Netflix. Shortly after Netflix began creating original content for its streaming service, other media companies followed suit. While…

The rise of pet technology products and the availability of Wi-Fi have made it easier for dog and cat owners to keep their companions safe and healthy. Mobile pet-sitting apps, automated tools, wearable GPS trackers and virtual fences have changed…

Residents today have two proven options to choose from for home phone lines: Traditional telephone service or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Each of these simple, dependable home phone solutions offers advantages. So how does one decide which is best…

Residents can achieve seamless internet coverage across large homes utilizing mesh Wi-Fi systems. Running internet-enabled devices, especially those with streaming capabilities, requires reliable Wi-Fi, but a steady signal can be difficult to maintain far from the home’s router. Users experiencing…

Parental control tools such as the Bark app can help protect young children, tweens and teens while they browse the web and play online games. The internet improves lives in many ways, but using the web irresponsibly can leave users…

Limiting screen time for kids is a highly debated, complex topic, but most experts and parents agree that setting boundaries for digital media is necessary. In fact, according to Pew Research Center, 71% of parents surveyed admitted to feeling concerned…

Streaming on an old TV might sound like a challenge, but with the right tech, anyone can transform a non-smart TV into a modern device. When one family member wants to watch a show on an outdated bedroom television while…

Deterring burglars is the primary reason residents choose home video surveillance, but that is not the only perk these systems offer. When residents can view a live video feed of their house and property from anywhere, keeping an eye on…

Technology offers numerous benefits that improve people’s daily lives, including cost savings, convenient automation and enhanced security. The new era of Internet of Things, or IoT, devices and intuitive technology has given everyone opportunities to live the good life, where…

Travelers who select a mobile plan designed for a cruise or international getaway are headed toward a worry-free vacation. Arriving in a faraway land, speaking a foreign language and using an unfamiliar currency are taxing enough. For some vacationers, being…

Weighing the benefits of a phone upgrade against the cost of a new one can help anyone struggling to decide when the best time is to purchase a new model. An outdated device starts making everyday tasks less efficient well…

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in South Carolina is designed to keep internet service economical for low-income households. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the ACP nationwide on Dec. 31, 2021. The qualifications and benefits for the original Emergency Broadband…

Wi-Fi add-ons are devices and programs that improve a home’s internet service with a far-reaching signal range, parental controls and enhanced security. Customers can mix and match Premium Wi-Fi features to choose the functions that best meet their needs. Connectivity…

A laptop running slowly could be an early sign that the device’s performance is declining and it is only a matter of time before it needs to be replaced. Most people notice warning signs before a computer is no longer…

Knowing how to shop online securely makes any consumer’s upcoming holiday season a safe, smooth experience. While people often look up the hottest gifts of the season and ideas for hosting celebrations, far too few research the trending scams and…

Running home security without power or internet is not as impossible as it once was and with the right system, households can remain protected through outages. Safety should not be jeopardized due to severe weather, network maintenance or equipment failure.…

Most consumers are aware of scams on the internet but not enough people realize how many phony offers and fraudulent ploys exist or how to protect themselves. Today’s cybercriminals have grown more savvy, adding text messaging to their stockpile of…

Hunters looking for an extra edge this season can up their scouting game with a trail cam service that delivers real-time photos and videos to any device. Rather than hiking through the woods to retrieve a trail cam memory card,…

Choosing phones for teens who are ready for new responsibilities is not an easy task for parents, but diligent research can help make the decisions easier. Learning differences between mobile phone models lets caregivers find the right device for each…

Ah, the never-ending battle of Apple vs. Android™. Both devices have dominated the smartphone industry and continually raise the bar with high-tech features that keep us customers on our toes. This makes choosing a smartphone a daunting task. To help you make the decision of whether you are going to wear the T-shirt of Team iPhone™ or Team Android, FTC has the breakdown of some defining features for each device.