If you caught last week’s solar flare coverage, it was full of alarmist hype. Here’s my take on it.
Are Amazon extended warranties worth it, or a scam?
While warranties can last a few years, recalls can occur anytime. Some defects are harmless and only affect functionality, but others can be dangerous.
When you buy a TV, blender or smartphone on Amazon, you’ll see a message asking you to purchase an extended warranty. Sure, you can, but should you?
Do you know what’s in those warranties? While each is a little bit different, they follow a similar pattern. If you buy anything on Amazon and you’ve spent money on an extended warranty before, you can’t afford to miss this information.
Asurion warranties don’t cover much
Asurion protection plans cover items for everyday wear and tear, defects in quality and materials, and mechanical and electrical breakdowns. If you break it yourself, you’re out of luck. This is pretty standard.
The biggest issue with these inexpensive warranties is that they don’t cover much. Dig through the details and you’ll find that they’re simply extended durations of manufacturer defect warranties.
That doesn’t mean Asurion is bad or that the warranties are worthless. If you have a device that you plan to use for five years or more, it’s nice to know any defects that pop up will be covered.
The reality
You must know that most manufacturer defects become apparent shortly after using a device. If something detrimental could break your purchase, it’ll happen early on. The standard one-year warranty on most products should cover this.
Asurion warranties come in handy if the manufacturer issues a warning due to wiring or power issues for electronics since that comes down to a safety issue. These cases are few and far between, though.
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Are Asurion warranties the only ones I can get on Amazon?
Sick of slow Wi-Fi? Move your router
For how important it is, it sure is easy to forget about your trusty router that works 24/7.
Routers are crucial to sending strong, reliable internet to your devices, but when’s the last time you made sure it’s locked down from hackers? Here are my five essential router security settings to keep hackers out of your network.
Starlink satellite internet passes 100K customers - How to subscribe
Elon Musk never ceases to amaze us. If Tesla wasn’t innovative enough, SpaceX has continued to skyrocket productivity, giving NASA a run for its money. SpaceX is sending civilians to space. Tap or click here to see when you can get a spot?
5G: What it means for you
The topic of 5G has been a hot one lately — and for good reason. Who doesn’t want lightning speed data?
But with the excitement also comes questions that you need answers to. After all, smartphones are the primary way most of us communicate, and this 5G rollout will change the way we use data, download apps and make calls.
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Fix your spotty Wi-Fi with this app for Mac and Windows
Wi-Fi is a vital component of our lives, especially now that many are quarantined in response to Covid-19. We are shopping, working, and even socializing online more than ever, and we depend on a reliable wireless signal. But have you ever found yourself racing through your office or home with your laptop chasing down a decent Wi-Fi connection?
Use this 5G map to see if high speeds are in your area
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic slowing network upgrades and development down, the 5G expansion hasn’t stopped. And soon, you’ll be able to access the latest in wireless networking tech from anywhere in the country.
But why the buzz around 5G, and what makes it worth spending an upgrade cycle for your phone on? For starters, you’ll get internet speeds that are often faster than your Wi-Fi network wherever you go. Tap or click here to see how fast 5G is.
T-Mobile and Sprint join forces - here's what's coming
T-Mobile and Sprint have officially merged to create the New T-Mobile. The new supercharged Un-carrier will deliver a transformative 5G network, better products at low prices, and continue to be a brand consumers love.
Social media shows the devastating impact the coronavirus is having across the world
The impact of the coronavirus is undeniable. Across the world, tourist hotspots are like ghost towns. The same can be said for businesses like bars and restaurants — many of which have been shuttered by government officials.