News & Residential Blog

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 When one family member wants to watch a show on an outdated bedroom television while…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…

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 An outdated device starts making everyday tasks less efficient well…

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. 

Chances are most of you have heard the term “smart home” used in media reports and conversations lately, and with the steady growth of the “internet of things,” you are likely to hear it used more as time moves on. 

The best way for parents to keep their kids safe online is by combining website, app and usage restrictions with proper online-safety education. As more devices offer internet access and younger children become increasingly tech-savvy, staying vigilant about children’s online…

Most Facebook users have seen the signs of a Facebook account hack before. Whether it is questionable posts from friends or seeing their birthdays changed within the accounts, signs of Facebook hacking often leave users feeling uneasy, or worse, can…

The last worry you want when going on vacation is the safety of your home. Statistics show that the highest percentage of burglaries occur in the summer months. The easiest way to prevent this worry is by protecting your home prior to leaving. Here are a few easy home safety tips you can implement before going away on that much-needed getaway:

The cloud and cloud computing refer to the process of storing computer files and programs on external servers rather than locally on a device’s hard drive and then remotely accessing the files and programs via an internet connection. In this…

So you’ve got your new home office all set up, complete with blazing-fast Internet and reliable Voice services from FTC, and you’re ready to hit the ground running on your latest work project. While working from home can offer numerous advantages over working from the office, the relaxed atmosphere can also present an array of challenges.