First, you’ll need to get an antenna ($10-20), which will allow you to receive a free, high-definition signal so that you can watch live TV via the broadcast networks.

Then, unless you have an internet-connected TV, you’ll also need to purchase a device that allows you to access streaming. There are several to select at a variety of price points, but we like the Roku 2, the Amazon Fire Stick, and Apple TV. The right device for you will depend on your budget, its compatibility with your television, and whether it supports your preferred streaming services.

Read on for a rundown of popular streaming services, so that you can decide which will best serve your viewing habits. If you’re a heavy TV watcher, you may have to combine more than one service, but you’ll still likely end up spending less than you would on a cable subscription.

Netflix ($8.99/month)
Pros: Netflix has gained a (well-deserved) great reputation for cutting-edge original series, like Orange is The New Black and House of Cards. It’s also got a strong selection of current TV series (usually about a season behind the broadcast) and older movies.
Cons: Movie buffs may find older gems, but the selection of new movies is sparse.

Amazon Prime (free with Prime membership, $99/year)
Pros: A good content selection and has some original programming and a decent-though limited—movie selection. It also offers members access to its streaming music service. If you’re a Prime member anyway for the perks like free two-day delivery, this is great added value.
Cons: You may have to pay extra for first-run movies, and it’s available on fewer devices than Netflix.

Hulu ($7.99/month with ads; $11.99/month without)
Pros: If you really like to keep up with current television shows that aren’t on the networks, you’ll find many of them on Hulu. You can also watch entire seasons of previous episodes.
Cons: You won’t find much original content programming and there are fewer movies than you’ll find on Amazon or Netflix.

iTunes/Amazon (prices vary, but around $2.99/episode)
Pros: If you’re devoted to one specific series, it could be more effective to simply buy or rent. Many series make new episodes available as soon as 24 hours after they’ve aired.
Cons: This can get expensive if you follow lots of shows.

Sports Packages ($100-$150)
Pros: Sports fanatics have long fought against cutting the cord because it’s been historically tough to watch live, non-network sports. Many of the pro sports associations now offer their own streaming services, such as MLBTV and NHL TV.
Cons: They’re expensive and may not be supported on every device.

Channel subscriptions (free to around $10/month) Pros: More cable channels like HBO and Comedy Central are now allowing fans to download their apps and watch content without a cable subscription.
Cons: If you don’t watch a lot of content on a paid app, it may make more sense to buy the episodes individually. They don’t work on every device.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

The post How to Cut the Cord on Cable (and Still Enjoy Your Favorite TV and Movies) Beth Braverman appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

1. Close all the apps running in the background. If you don’t close out of one app before switching to another, it may remain on, slowing down the phone and zapping your battery life. To find and close those apps, double click the home button, then Swipe up on each app that you’re not using.
2. Make some more space. You can see which apps are taking up the most space on your iPhone by tapping Settings> Storage> Manage Storage. Delete any large apps that you don’t regularly use. You can even make more space by backing up photos and videos onto the cloud or your computer and deleting them from your phone.
3. Clear your cache. If your iPhone is particularly slow when surfing the Internet, it can help to clear your cache. To do this, tap Settings>Safari> Clear History and Website Data.
4. Update the operating system. If you’re using an older operating system, updating to the latest version can help make your iPhone faster and keep it more secure. Back up your data then connect it to Wi-Fi. Tap Settings>General>Software Update>Download and Install.
5. Reset your settings. You’ll keep your data and contacts, but may have to re-enter things like your Wi-Fi password and Bluetooth connections. To do this, tap Settings>General>Reset All Settings.

Is your iPad becoming slow too? We’ve got you covered with tips on how to fix a really slow iPad.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

The post How to Fix a Slow iPhone Beth Braverman appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

1. Bring your family game night into the 21st century. Looking for some family game night ideas? Rather than sitting around a stodgy board game rolling dice, download a few family game apps that guarantee a great time. Two to try: Heads Up or Pictureka.
2. Create the soundtrack of your life. For some families, having the right tunes—whether you’re having a dance party or making dinner—is an essential way to connect with each other. Set up a playlist on Spotify, hook up some speakers, and it’s never been easier to have exactly the right song on all the time.
3. Be face-to-face when you’re apart. If you’ve got family members who travel often or don’t live nearby, using your iPad’s FaceTime feature (or downloading the Skype app) makes it easy to visually connect at any time.
4. Make family road trips more bearable. While vacations are the stuff that memories are made of, cramming too many people into one car for an extended period of time can lead to some stressful moments. Download a few movies to keep the kids (or restless adults) distracted for the drive, or try an app like RoadTrip Bingo, which will have everyone looking out the windows, rather than at the clock.
5. Discover your roots. Part of being a family is enjoying a shared sense of history, but many Americans have lost track of exactly what their personal history looks like. Geneology apps like Ancestry or Family Search can help you learn about your family’s past and build a family tree to share with future generations.

Image courtesy of Michael Coghlan on Flickr

The post How to Use the iPad to Bring Your Family Together Beth Braverman appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

1.  Morning ($0.99)

A quick glance at this app when you wake up tells you everything you need to know to start your day—from the weather and traffic forecasts to your meeting schedule.

2.  Spotify (Free or $9.99/mo with premium subscription).

As one of the best streaming music apps available, Spotify lets you play songs on demand, customize playlists, and see what others are listening to.

3.  Google Chrome (Free)

While the Safari browser that comes with your iPad is fine for browsing, Google Chrome offers a slightly more intuitive navigation and voice-enabled searching.

4.  Facebook (Free)

Using Facebook on your tablet means scrolling through bigger, more vibrant photos and a higher-resolution screen for viewing videos.

5.  Kindle (Free app, books available for purchase)

Never lug around two devices again. Download the Kindle app on your iPad and you’ll have no need for the standalone e-Reader.

6.  Netflix (Free app, subscription required)

Access your Netflix account and binge watch House of Cards or your favorite 80s sitcom anytime, anywhere.

7.  Pocket (Free)

If you’re constantly feeling like you can’t keep up with all the news articles you want to read, save them to Pocket to access later, even if you’re not online.

8.  Mint (Free)

Sync your bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial accounts to Mint and it will show you exactly how and where you’re spending your money, and help you stay on top of upcoming bills.

9.  Dashlane (Free)

Stop stressing out about remembering all of your passwords. Upload them to this password manager and you’ll always be able to access your accounts.

10.  Amazon (Free)

Whether you need toilet paper or a camping tent, putting the breadth of Amazon’s shopping selection onto your iPad means you can get what you need with a quick swipe anytime.

The post 10 iPad Apps You Can’t Live Without Beth Braverman appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

1.  Start the setup process.

When you turn on your MacBook for the first time, the Setup Assistant will lead you through start-up process, which includes selecting your country, creating an account (or multiple accounts if you’ll be sharing the computer), connecting to a local Wi-Fi network, and choosing your privacy settings.

2.  Enter your Apple ID.

The Setup Assistant will prompt you to enter your Apple ID while you’re logging on for the first time. This is the login and account that’s associated with your iTunes account, if you have one. This will allow you to re-download apps and music that you’ve previously purchased without paying for them again.

If you skip this step during setup, you can enter it later by clicking on “System Preferences” and then “iCloud.” You’ll need to enter a credit card for the initial setup, but you can later change your preferred payment method to “none” if you don’t want a card linked to the account.

3.  Beef up your security.

As data and information become increasingly valuable to criminals, it’s more important than ever for computer users to take precautions to protect themselves. Start by setting your MacBook to require a password once a screen saver kicks in, especially if you plan on using your MacBook often in public places.

Then, download apps only from the Mac store or other trusted Web sites, and turn on FireVault Disc Encryption, an option in Apple’s newer operating systems that will automatically encrypt everything on your hard drive. Speaking of operating systems, make sure that you’ve always got the latest one (see #5) to ensure you’ve got any security fixes rolled out by Apple.

4.  Migrate files from your old computer.

In the past, one of the most frustrating parts of setting up a new computer has always been migrating music, documents, and data from your old machine to the new one. While it’s still a somewhat cumbersome process, it’s gotten much smoother. Make sure both computers are connected to the same network (such as your home Wi-Fi network), and then use the Migration Assistant tool in the Utilities folder on your MacBook, which will walk you through the process.

Alternatively, if you use iCloud or a cloud storage service like DropBox, you may be able to simply upload relevant files from the old computer to the cloud and then download them as needed.

5.  Check for OS X update.

It’s important to keep your software up to date, both because it will keep your computer more secure and because newer apps and programs may not run as well on older operating systems. Even brand new MacBooks may not have the very latest software. To make sure you have the latest version, open the App Store and click on the “Updates” icon on the tool bar. This will allow you to update both your operating system and any apps with new releases. Then restart the computer and check to see if there are any other updates, because some won’t become available until others have already been installed.

Following these the steps will get you on the right path to mastering your new MacBook. Looking for more? Check out these 10 MacBook shortcuts to become a productivity powerhouse.

The post Everything You Need to Get Started with Your MacBook Beth Braverman appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

Take precaution. Follow these steps to protect yourself and your phone:

1.  Keep Your Operating System Up-to-Date

Having the latest operating system on your phone will ensure that your device has the most current, even if it’s a pain to install. For example, the new iOS 9 extends passwords to six digits, making them tougher to crack and requires two-factor authentication any time you sign-in from a new device.

2.  Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi

Using Wi-Fi when you’re out and about is a smart way to keep your data usage down, but it’s generally far less secure than getting online via a password-protected site or cellular networks. Never make purchases or check your bank account via public Wi-Fi. Be sure you always know how you’re connected to the Internet by setting your phone so that you have to manually select a Wi-Fi network.

3.  Setup a Mobile Kill Switch

Both Google and Apple now allow users to equip their devices with a kill switch, which when activated will lock the phone and erase all data in case the phone is lost or stolen. You can set up the function (Find my iPhone from Apple and Device Manager from Android) in your phone’s settings panel.

4.  Use a Password

If you can’t or don’t want to download the latest operating system, make sure that your phone is set to require a passcode (or finger ID) for access. This will prevent a thief from being able to quickly access apps, info and photos before you realize he has possession of your phone.

5.  Wipe Your Phone Before Reselling it

If you’re planning on selling an old device on your own after you purchase a new one, be sure to completely erase it of any apps or data. Reputable online sellers like Gazelle will completely wipe your phone and hand-inspect it to make sure it’s free of any personal information.

What are your best tips for thwarting ID theft?

The post Is Your Smartphone Safe? How to Protect it from Identity Theft Beth Braverman appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

Once you pass a certain threshold in a payment plan, you can turn in that phone for an upgrade and start over with a new financing plan. The details of plans vary by provider, but they’re growing quickly in popularity, with nearly a quarter of smartphone buyers financing their purchases.

AT&T Next allows consumers to spread the cost of a smartphone over 20 to 24 interest-free monthly payments, with the opportunity to get a new phone (and restart the financing plan) after 12 or 18 months, respectively. Verizon device payments lets buyers pay for a device over 24 months, with an option to upgrade to a new device and payment plan once they’ve paid off the first phone’s value. T-Mobile and Sprint have similar plans.

Who it’s good for: Anyone who likes to have the newest phone. Since they’re now typically offered without a contract (you pay a monthly fee for text, voice and data service), financed smartphone plans offer users the ability to upgrade more often than a typical two-year agreement. The total cost of financing with a plan is likely cheaper over time than getting a subsidized phone with a contract, especially for consumers who upgrade frequently.

Who should think twice: Users who don’t want or need the newest phone, or those who are likely to break or lose it. Even if it’s lost, you’re still on the hook for the full cost of the device. Most carriers also offer contract-free plans to consumers who bring their own devices. Rather than paying for a pricey new phone (even in installments, starts at $649), bringing an older model or a used device is an easy way to keep costs down. Monthly service without the cost of the phone bundled in is much cheaper and the best deal.

Soon you may not have a choice on whether or not to finance your phone. Verizon announced this week that it would be eliminating subsidized phones and contracts entirely, a move T-Mobile made back in 2012. AT&T has plans to follow suit. Lucky for consumers who suddenly aren’t able to afford a new device or would rather spend that money elsewhere, they can buy more affordable, certified devices at Gazelle.

Will you finance your next phone purchase?

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia.

The post Should You Finance Your Next Smartphone? Beth Braverman appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

Nearly a quarter of teachers use digital content daily with their students. Sixty percent said in a recent poll that technology in their classrooms improved student engagement, and 48 percent said it allowed them to deliver more individualized instruction, according to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

The adoption of such programs is already creating some seismic changes inside of America’s classrooms. Here are five big ways tablets are transforming classrooms.

1. They’re replacing textbooks.

Although they’ve been the standard for decades, there are several drawbacks to the classic textbook: They’re expensive, physically heavy and quickly outdated. Schools are turning to tablets to solve this problem, using e-textbooks that offer the same information as their paper counterparts with additional multimedia lessons to drive home the curricula and appeal to students who may not learn as easily from words on a page.

2. They’re slashing costs.

One study found that a properly implemented tablet program could save schools $34 per student per year today, and $60 per student per year in the future as tablet costs come down. That may not seem like much, but multiplied across thousands of students in a district throughout their primary and secondary school years, and those savings can really add up.

3. They’re transforming homework.

The standard teaching model involves a teacher lecturing during classroom time and assigning work and projects for students to complete as homework. Tablets reverse that model, allowing teachers to assign videos (or their lectures or other relevant material) for students to watch at home, so that they can work together on projects and analysis during classroom time.

4. They’re collecting data.

Tablets have helped bring Big Data into the education world. Teaching apps and homework assignments completed via iPad allow teachers (and sometimes parents) to virtually collect data about whether students are comprehending specific lessons so they can tailor plans to specific student needs.

5. They’re distracting students.

Yet, iPads have a downside. Teachers report that it’s tough to fully prevent students with short attention spans from checking out of a lesson to log on to Facebook, play a game or even work on an unrelated assignment during class. “Tablets and computers are designed to be interactive, and sidetrack us from deeper thinking,” Goucher College President Antonio Bowen recently wrote in The Wall Street Journal. “The distractions of a student’s iPad are virtually irresistible.”

What do you think of the growing presence of technology in the classroom? Have you purchased your child an iPad?

Image courtesy of Flickr.

The post 5 Ways Tablets Are Changing Classrooms Beth Braverman appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

In 2013, 1.4 million smartphones were lost and never found, and another 3 million were stolen, according to Consumer Reports. The hassle of losing your primary source of communication with the outside world is rough. But there’s a bigger problem with losing track of your smartphone: The increased use of mobile banking and storage of personal information on our phones makes them an attractive reward for smartphone thieves.

Fear of losing one’s phone is so gut-wrenching that 68 percent of Americans would put their personal safety at risk in order to retrieve their phones and the data they hold, according to a report released last year by mobile computer security firm Lookout.

That may not be the best idea. Instead, follow these three steps:

1. Tap Your Tech Tools

Get to another device and log onto Apple’s Find My iPhone or Google’s Android Device Manager as soon as your smartphone goes missing. (You’ll need to have the apps downloaded on your lost phone as well.) Android users can also use Google.com to find an Android device.

These apps let you lock the phone remotely and write a home screen message providing your contact info for any good Samaritan who might find the device. They also let you ring the phone, even if it’s on silent mode. (Note: These tips only work while the phone is turned on and has a battery charge.)

If you have no luck finding your phone, you can use these apps to remotely wipe all of your data. You might want to still change your password on important accounts just to be safe. 

2. Report the Loss

Once you’ve given up hope of finding your smartphone, or if you’re fairly certain it’s been stolen, report it to the police. You can make the report over the phone in most cases. Unfortunately, they won’t prioritize finding the thief (or the phone), but they’ll take down the serial number in case they come across it in the midst of another investigation.

Then call your wireless provider, who will suspend service and make sure you’re not charged for calls and data used by someone else. If it’s a company-owned phone, you’ll have to report the loss to your IT department as well.

3. Find a Replacement

Since smartphones never seem to disappear when you’re due for an upgrade, you may be looking for a low-cost option to hold you over until you can get a new phone. Going with a certified pre-owned device will earn you a significant discount, even on the latest phones.

Image courtesy of WeHeartIt

The post These are the First Steps to Take When Your Smartphone Goes Missing Beth Braverman appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.