The Samsung Note 8 unlocked base price is $$940 and the rumored price for the iPhone 8 is $1000. Some of the readers of this blog will be purchasing their new iPhone with a Carrier’s subsidy when they renew their cellular plan. I have a cellular plan through Claro but only pay 1/4 of what I would in the U.S.
I think I will be holding on to my 3 year old Nexus Smartphone another year.
Thank you Cuenca Tech Life subscribers for challenging me to keep this blog an interesting time in my life and perhaps providing you with some interesting tech observations and predictions.
So what has changed since last year:
The three most viewed posts are as follows:
Thank you again for viewing Cuenca Tech Life.
My wife and I have been living here almost 6 years and two things all expats can agree on.
I have added some new items and subtracted some others. As always I encourage your feedback.
Computer: When we first moved here I rented space in another person’s container and brought down a desktop computer with a 24″ monitor and and oversized keyboard. I sold that computer in less than a year and that is why I am recommending a laptop or notebook computer.
Tablet: When we first moved I owned an iPad . I have since sold the iPad and my tablet of choice is an 8 inch Fire Tablet from Amazon priced at $59
Smartphone: Personally, this is my most used piece of electronics. I now own the Google Nexus 6. I have a $32 a month data plan that gives me the convenience of being connected all day but also the ability to connect via magic jack to my business contacts and family back in The States. I also use my Smartphone for:
I highly recommend the Google Nexus but would also highly recommend the iPhone
Streaming Boxes: These hockey puck devices will be your night time companions if you enjoy watching movies and TV series. You can’t go wrong with the ones below:
Basically you can watch TV series and movies with these devices connected to your TV. They also have the added advantage of wirelessly connecting some of your devices ( computer, iphone tablet ) wirelessly to your TV. Important note ***. To fully utilize these services you need to purchase a IP address Blocker so you can connect to these services from Ecuador. .
All three device have voice search and the Roku and Amazon devices have lower priced stick versions that have less power but basically give you the same services.
Printer: This is second year I am not recommending a printer. Unless you are using the printer for business then it’s easier and cheaper to put your document on a thumb drive and bring it to and easily available copy shop.
Camera: This is the second year I am recommending using a Smartphone instead of a point and shoot camera.
Miscellaneous recommendations:
Amazon Echo, Dot or the Google Home Smart Speaker
These gadgets are cloud based devices that will be the next paradigm shift. The Amazon platform has a two year head start. But,essentially both devices accomplish the same goals.
I installed the Echo in the living room next to the T.V. The Echo will pick up our voices from the living room, hall, kitchen, dining room and sun room. So far we have used the Echo to:
The Dot which is the smaller and less expensive version of the Echo is paired with a bluetooth Speaker and is upstairs in Sharon’s Office. She mainly uses the Dot to listen to her music but she likes the “Good Morning Command” which is has an interesting fact of a synopsis of some famous person’s life usually when it is their birthday.
Ok, do you need all these devices. Of course not. But, I think these devices make life much more enjoyable in Ecuador.
My three favorite devices are:
Last year at this time I wrote on article on this subject. So what has changed in a year? There are now 4 main legal streaming boxes:
There is a 5th alternative and its called KODI . First let me say that I don’t object to the non legal status of KODI since I often purchase bootleg DVD’s in Cuenca. Let me also state that I have limited knowledge of KODI. I do know in Cuenca there are KODI groups and some individuals that will handle the installation and support. There are some safety concerns using KODI and this article does a good job of explaining it
The following are some paid subscriptions that are available to stream on the above boxes.
There is also DirecTV. 5 years ago I tried the service for 6 months. My experience was that it was expensive $40 + per month was limited in the quality of English programming.
My costs:
Note: * denotes other uses besides watching TV
Pop Quiz CTL subscribers. You take a photo with your smartphone and you need to tune it up. What app do you use? There are some very easy and powerful apps. My favorite is Snapseed that is available on both Android and IOS. Snapseed has all the usual tools
Snapseed also contains several powerful tools
Below are three photos. The first is untouched. The second is a change in the perspective and the removal of the graffiti. The third is the addition of a mood changing filter.
Run, don’t walk and get your free copy of Snapseed.
The other day I left my house to walk to the El Centro section of Cuenca. It’s a 2 mile walk and once a week I do this for exercise. About 1/2 mile into the walk I reached for my Smartphone and I started to panic. At first I thought I lost it but soon realized I forgot to put to take it off my desk and put it in my pocket. I then started to giggle about all the things one could do before the Smartphone. Here are just 17 of them:
Can we live healthy successful lives without Smartphones? Of course we can. But, now that I own a smartphone I can’t even fathom the idea of living without one for more than a few hours. “Ok Google, how many times have I used the word “Smartphones” in this article?
We had our first visitors from Oregon this week. Bob and Sully have been enjoying the beautiful scenery and friendliness of the Cuencanos. They both use point and shoot cameras and been admiring the ease and quality of the photos on my Smartphone.
One seat available for Monday 1/25/16 course
Are you satisfied with the photos and videos on your smartphone or tablet? Join 5 other enlightened Cuenca students on 1/25/16 and learn the following
When: Jan. 25, 2016
Where: Los Alamos 3-66 y 3 de Noviembre
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Cost: $40
Course limited to 6 students
You will need a fully charged smart phone or Table for this course. Your equipment must be running the latest or near the latest operating system.
More info: graygeek@gmail.com /099 122 1238
Raise your hand if you use Siri on your IOS device (iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch) I see lots of hands raised 🙂 If you have an hour to spare you can watch the very popular and informative “IOS Today” video podcast. They devote the whole episode to Siri Tips.
A word of caution Leo Laporte the cohost and founder of The Twit Network is quite loquacious. The tips start at 9:00 into the podcast. Enjoy.
Cuenca Tech Life 