Great devices for your iPhone and iPad.

To start off 2014, I decided to not only do an App of the Week post on my Facebook page, but to include a Device of the Week as well.  There are so many different types of devices out there, all you need to do is head to an Apple Store (or online to Amazon) to see a wide variety, ranging from wireless speakers to heart monitors, to home heating systems and beyond.  I decided to highlight one per week, then create a blog at the beginning of the following month to highlight those devices.  Here's my list for January!

First, the Tego Power Grid.  We are all looking for ways to extend the life of our devices, well look no further.  Tego has created a fantastic device.  For starters, it packs enough power to charge your device twice without needing to be re-charged itself.  Can easily be recharged by plugging into the USB slot of a computer.  It's super compact and light-weight, and best of all, is only $59.00.

So if you are one of the many people who always find themselves looking for an outlet to charge their devices, go get yourself the Tego, you'll be happy you did.

The next device that I highlighted in January just blows me away.  For those of you who still don't realize that there is an app for almost anything, check this baby out...Have you ever found yourself looking for a device, or system to help you keep track of your health?  A device or system that won't cost you an arm and a leg, but tracks and monitors you throughout the day?  Well if you fit that description, I've found the perfect device for you!  It's the Fit Systems Arm band by Body Media.  

If you are overweight, and looking for help counting calories, this beauty helps you keep track of your caloric count.  The calories going in, and the calories burned!  Sweet!  It helps you achieve your fitness goals by accurately tracking your daily activities.  Finally, it monitors how well you are sleeping!  As you may expect, the device comes with an App, to help you keep track of things while you are on the go.  So whether its you looking for some help with your health, or someone you know, I highly recommend the Fit Systems Arm band.

Ok...So the first two devices for January were quite cool.  The 3rd device that I highlighted in January is downright HOT!  Now if you are like me, you like your music clean, with rich bass and ultra-clean treble.   There's nothing worse for me than listening to some great music on some cheap speaker system with wimpy bass and treble that's overly tin-ee.  It's challenging to find small speakers that measure up!  We'll the UE Boom wireless speaker, from Ultimate Ears, ROCKS!   It will take the best bass from John Paul-Jones, and play it true.  It will make Miles Davis' horns shine.  All the while pulsating through a Neil Peart drum solo like a full blown set of floor speakers.  Yeah, it's that good!

The Boom starts at $199 (The limited edition Boom, the one right above, is $229).  An incredible feature of the Boom, that's not currently available on any other wireless speaker (that I know of), is that you can connect two Boom's via the Boom App to have totally mind blowing experience!  

So if you love your music, loud and crystal clear, the UE Boom is exactly what you've been looking for.  It can be found online, or at retailers like The Apple Store.

Ok, now for the final January device of the week...

In keeping with my music theme, my next device stays in the music genre.  I've attended more concerts in my lifetime than I can remember.  I followed the Grateful Dead for a bit in the early 90's, have seen more than my share of Dave Matthews shows as well.  I always wanted to record my concerts, but never had the right equipment.  Well look no further my friends.  Let me introduce you to the IQ5 Stereo Recorder.  

The iQ5 is a high quality stereo condenser mic.  Perfect for recording your favorite concert, or your child's first piano concert.  The iQ5 has a rotating device that allows audio recording with the optimal left-right stereo orientation, regardless if you are using it horizontally or vertically.

The Zoom has a companion app that allows you to record in linear PCM, 16-bit/44.1kHz format for CD-quality audio, that accurately captures the music and spaces.  It even records in compressed AAC format when you need smaller faster data transfer.  

Now I realize that to most of us the kHz and AAC compression won't really matter.  It was more for the audio files that read my blog (ha ha ha!).  All the rest of us need to know is that it records well, and can record in compressed format if you need to!  

So there are my choices for January's Apps of the Week.  The Tego Power Grid, The Fit Systems Arm band, The UE Boom Speaker, and finally the iQ5 Zoom recorder.  Keep up with my February Apps of the Week on my Facebook page, http://facebook.com/theMacMentor, then comeback early March and I'll have another blog post for the February App/Device of the week choices.

Thanks to all for reading...and if you have a favorite App/Device let me know about it!

Until next time, Best to you and your devices!

MUST read for those of you purchasing a Cellular iPad Air and iPad Mini...

So I went through a rather painful experience with a customer yesterday that I hope those of you reading this blog, and purchasing a new Cellular version of either iPad can benefit from.  My customer purchased a new AT&T Cellular iPad Air from an Apple Store.   Should have been a seamless process.  Open the iPad, set it up, then set up the cellular connection with AT&T.  The first part was seamless.  However when we went to setup her cellular account, we found the SIM card included with the device, was not active.  Now that wouldn't have been so bad if all we had to do was call AT&T and have them activate it.  But that was NOT the case at all.  We called AT&T only to find out that we would have to either go to an AT&T store to obtain a working SIM card, or they could ship one to us.   The point of going to the Apple store is for convenience.  It is supposed to be a one stop shop, now to find out that for purposes of purchasing Cellular iPads that is NOT the case at all, and nowhere is this advertised by the way, is a bit disturbing!  Now, if you purchase a cellular iPad at the Apple Store, you have two choices, either go to the carrier store after and get an active SIM, or call the carrier and have them overnight one to you.  A ridiculous process!  So here's the rest of what we went through. Next, I spent over 30 minutes with AT&T, was sent to three different consultants, the last one, that goodness was very good, and was able to help us, and smartly had a new SIM shipped out overnight at no cost to the customer.  Thank you AT&T for that.   Also found out that if you sign up for a two year contract with you cellular iPad, AT&T will give you $100 dollars off your service.

So, lesson learned the hard way.  If you are going to be purchasing a Cellular version of the iPad Air or iPad Mini, your best bet is to do it, sadly at the carrier of your choice.  If you are purchasing the Wi-Fi only version, the Apple Store is still the place to go for that...then have me do the set up for you!

I hope this quick little blog helps you avoid what happened to my customer.  Because no one has time to waste, especially for something like this!

Until next time, best to you and your devices...