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Entertainment
3 ways for Verizon users to get a free Discovery Plus trial plan
Read MoreWith new OTT platforms being launched one after the other, it comes as no surprise that Discovery Inc. has followed suit. Its new streaming service, Discovery Plus, which launched on 4th January, features over 2,500 shows from HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Animal Planet, and originals from other production companies. While anyone is eligible for a free 7-day trial, Verizon users can get a free 12-month subscription.
Users can access the free Discovery Plus subscription from the My Verizon app by going to the Add-ons & Apps section and selecting “Discovery Plus” under Entertainment.
Here’s how Verizon subscribers can get a free Discovery Plus subscription:
- Get More Unlimited or Play More Unlimited
Verizon customers who have opted for the Play More Unlimited or Get More Unlimited service are eligible for a free 12-month Discovery Plus subscription. Both plans come with 5G total access, 5G Ultra-Wideband, 5G Nationwide, free access to the Disney bundle and Apple Music, and a 12-month free subscription to Discovery Plus. Play More Unlimited offers a 6-month free Apple Music subscription as opposed to the one-year free subscription available on Get More Unlimited. These services cost anywhere between $45 and $55. - Start Unlimited or Do More Unlimited
Similarly, those who want a 6-month free Discovery Plus subscription can opt for either the Start Unlimited or the Do More Unlimited plan. The Start Unlimited plan costs $35 and offers unlimited talk and text, 6-month free Disney+ and Apple Music, and Discovery Plus subscriptions. The Do More Unlimited plan costs $45 and offers 5G total access, 5G Ultra-Wideband, 5G Nationwide, and 4G LTE data. It comes with a 6-month subscription for Disney+, Apple Music, and Discovery Plus. It also includes 600GB of Verizon Cloud storage and 50% off on unlimited connected device plans. - New Verizon Fios or 5G Home Internet Connection
New Verizon customers who have Fios or 5G Home Internet Connection are eligible for a one-year free Discovery Plus subscription. This means that existing subscribers or those with a Verizon business account are not eligible for this offer. The cost of Fios Internet is between $39 and $80 per month, depending on the plan one chooses.
- Get More Unlimited or Play More Unlimited
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Entertainment
5 types of Discovery Plus plans
Read MoreDiscovery Plus is one of the largest streaming platforms that provide content across categories like business, food, paranormal, science, and history from all over the world. You can stream shows from various devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Microsoft Xbox One. Discovery Plus also offers subscriptions for all budgets, so there’s something for everyone. Read on to know the various plans.
- Free Trial
Are you unsure about whether or not you will enjoy Discovery Plus? No worries, you can simply try out their 7-day free trial. All you need to do is login and enter your personal and card details. If you enjoy the content and the platform, you can opt for one of the subscriptions mentioned below, or you can cancel the subscription before the last date of streaming.
- Subscription with Ads
Discovery Plus offers subscriptions for people of different budgets. If you do not want to spend too much, you can opt for the $4.99/month subscription. This will allow you to view all the content available on the platform, including new releases and originals. However, there’s a catch. This subscription comes with limited ads. That means that you will see advertisements along with your content. You can upgrade your plan or cancel it whenever you want.
- Subscription without Ads
If you dislike ads and have a decent budget, this subscription is ideal for you. It costs $6.99/month and includes everything that Discovery Plus has to offer, minus the ads. Moreover, you can change the subscription plan whenever you want to do so. Your subscription will be effective from the next date of billing. Moreover, your subscription will renew every month unless you cancel it.
- Free subscriptions with Verizon
Several Verizon users can now get free Discovery Plus subscriptions on their plans. “Do More Unlimited” and “Start Unlimited” plans offer a six-month free subscription with Discovery Plus. Similarly, “Get More Unlimited” and “Play More Unlimited” plans offer a one-year free subscription. People with both new and existing plans can access this offer. After their subscription ends, you will be billed $6.99/month.
- Subscription with Vodafone (UK specific)
Vodafone and Discovery Plus have partnered together to make their content available to Vodafone users in 12 markets. People with subscriptions to Vodafone TV, Fixed Broadband, and Mobile will benefit from this. People who have Sky Broadband’s connection (Sky Q Box only) can also access a 12-month free Discovery Plus trial.
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Entertainment
All You Need to Know About the Amazon Echo Dot
Read MoreAmazon Dot was first launched back in the year 2014 and has continued to grow by leaps and bounds. It has numerous loyal consumers today. After Alexa garnered rave reviews, Amazon finally introduced us to Echo Dot, which is a one-of-its-kind product. This device is shaped like a hockey puck and serves as a compact virtual assistant. It can fit into all corners of your house. Here’s all that you need to know about the Amazon Echo Dot.
The setup and the design
The Amazon Echo Dot comes with a distinct and stylish design. While the circumference of the Echo Dot matches that of the Amazon Echo, the appearance differs when it comes to the volume rings. Users can listen to music without any disturbance because of the two additional buttons situated on the top of the device. It also has “listen” and “mute” buttons built into its enviable form.The Amazon Echo Dot has one light ring, which is the same as the Amazon Echo. It is essential to indicate that the inbuilt virtual assistant, Alexa, is listening to what you are saying. Alexa can hear your instructions with the help of an array of seven microphones. This light ring also indicates whether the mute function is active or not. If the mute function is not turned on, random snatches of conversation might trigger Alexa to get activated.
The height is what sets the Amazon Echo Dot apart. It is around 32 mm tall, and the device is 20 cm shorter than its full-sized version. The size makes it quite compact, and you can keep it anywhere. Another thing to remember is that you should not place the Amazon Echo Dot too close to any hardware, or else it may not be able to pick up commands efficiently.
The final verdict
The biggest advantage of the Amazon Echo Dot has to be its compact size. It packs quite a lot of features into one small package. For a lesser price, you get a device whose voice recognition technology matches that of the full-sized Amazon Echo. Imagine waking up in the morning, listening to lovely tunes from something so small that it is not even in your way! Therefore, we would rate the Amazon Echo Dot a 10 out of 10 for its size, and give it an 8 out of 10 for its upgraded external speakers. -
Entertainment
The History of Apple iPod
Read MoreMost music fans in the world have either had an Apple iPod or still have one. When the mass favorites, iPod nano and iPod shuffle, were recently discontinued, it only made sense to analyze the history of Apple iPods. They are the best choice for Apple enthusiasts since users get the best of iTunes music blasting in their ears. Therefore, here is all the information you need to have about the journey of Apple iPods.
Apple launched the iPod in the year 2001, and it instantly became the favorite mp3 player of the masses. The initial model had a scroll wheel, which moved mechanically and was quite a popular innovation in those times. Back then it had a storage capacity of 5GB and 10GB. Mr. Vinnie Chieko, the then copywriter of Apple, coined by the term iPod.
Giving way to the second and third generation
The second generation iPod was released in the year 2002 and had three storage variants, which were 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB. Apple removed the manual scroll from the second generation iPod. The third generation iPod did not even have the touch-sensitive wheel. The third-generation iPod was released in the year 2003 and featured the popular 30-pin dock connector. This generation introduced the 10 GB, 15 GB, and 30 GB variants.Evolving Apple iPod
Minor changes on the Apple iPods continued through the initial years. However, their next product was completely different. iPod mini was meant for people who liked sleek products. It was available in five attractive colors. Because of its compact size, it quickly became a companion for most people who wanted to work out or run while listening to music. The iPod mini brought the click wheel back in vogue too. This style of navigation stayed with Apple until the iPhone started using a different technology.The fourth-generation iPod in a nutshell
The fourth-generation Apple iPod introduced an expansive storage capacity. It was available in 20 GB as well as 40 GB variants. After this, Apple introduced the beloved iPod shuffle. However, there were a lot of models in between, like the iPod photo, that did not perform exceptionally well as compared to Apple’s competitors in the market. These products gave way to the current model, which is the iPod Touch.All about the iPod Touch
Introduced in the year 2011, iPod Touch has been one of the most popular music products, and it is sold and adored even today. -
Entertainment
All You Need to Know About the iPod touch
Read MoreThe sole surviving MP3 player from Apple is the iPod touch. It has been one of the most popular products introduced by Apple. It even comes with a marvelous camera and an A8 chip, making it quite a great choice. Here’s what you need to know about the iPod touch currently available in the market.
Five stunning colors
The iPod touch is available in five different colors, ranging from blue to pink, ensuring that there is a choice for everybody. The space grey color is a classic choice for the iPod touch, while the silver remains quite popular among the masses. The gold iPod touch is also an excellent option for people who want a product with a luxurious feel.Amazing technology
The A8 chip of the product comes with Metal technology which helps developers with console-style game designing. This technology is optimized to allow the CPU and GPU to work together. It also has the capacity to process complex visual effects and detailed graphics. The iPod touch has a motion compressor with in-built advanced sensors that improve the touch technology of this device. It also has an accelerometer and a gyroscope. These features help the fitness applications on your iPod touch take accurate measurements.Additionally, the 4-inch retina display with an 1136×640 resolution enhances your viewing experience.
More power, more portability
This model’s sleek design makes it an ideal companion for your trips, workouts, or for those times when you only want to listen to music. It also offers you a compelling gaming experience and ensures that your photos, music, and games are in one place. In short, it is your one-stop entertainment zone which can be carried with you everywhere.Tech specs
The price of the iPod touch varies as per the capacity. The 32 GB variant is available for $199 and the 128 GB variant can be bought for $299 approximately. The product is extremely compact with a height of 4.86 inches and width of 2.31 inches. The 4-inch widescreen display, fingerprint-resistant coating, and the 800:1 contrast ratio are other advantages of this product. The iPod touch has an 8 MP camera for capturing memories. It also has ample storage for your music as well as your photos. The camera comes with improved face detection, and the exposure control ensures that your photos are always stunning. -
Entertainment
Top 5 Stores to Buy Bose Speakers on Sale
Read MoreHeadquartered in Massachusetts, Bose is one of the most popular companies that manufactures and sells audio equipment. The famous entrepreneur Amar Bose founded this company in the year 1964. However, if you’re having trouble with the availability of these products, you can refer to our guide of the top five stores where you can find Bose speakers on sale:
- Bose
There is no better place to look for discounts on Bose speakers than the Bose portal. Choose from either the Bose Home Speaker 500, which costs around $399.95 or the Bose Soundbar 500 which is available for $549.95 approximately. If you want powerful sound quality, then the Bose Soundbar 700 is a great option too. It costs around $799.95. For buyers with a limited budget, the SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® Speaker is also an excellent choice. - Target
There is a wide variety of Bose speakers available at Target. Choose the attractive Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® Speaker available for around $99.99 or go all-out with Bose Companion® 2 Series III Multimedia Speaker System, which costs $99.99 approximately. Our favorite pick for Bose speakers on this portal is the Bose SoundTouch Wireless Link Adapter, which costs around $149.99. - Best Buy
Get the Bose® Solo 5 TV Sound System, which would cost you approximately $249.99, or check out the other products in the Bose speakers sale section at Best Buy. The Bose Soundbar 700, which comes with built-in Alexa assistant, would cost you around $799.99. However, it is worth every single penny spent on it. - Amazon
There is hardly any brand that is not available on Amazon. Therefore, it is fairly obvious that the best speakers company in the world has to have multiple products listed on this portal. While you can pick a model that is the best fit for your requirements, we would suggest the Bose® Wave® SoundTouch® IV Music System, which works well with Alexa. It comes in a platinum silver color and cost $533.58 approximately. - e-Bay
There is nothing like e-Bay to get the best deals on used products. There are Bose speakers on sale ranging from $19.99 to $249.99 approximately. You can check out all the products available on this website. Make your decision depending on the shipping price and the usability of the speakers.
All of these portals list Bose products on sale. Depending upon your requirement and convenience, you can pick a store that delivers the product to you affordably and quickly.
- Bose
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Entertainment
8 popular wireless speakers to check out
The speakers can make or break your music experience. The market is saturated with a range of options to enhance your listening experience, making it important to find the right fit for your needs. Whether you’re looking for portable speakers to carry around for your next adventure or a boombox for immersive wholesome sound, there’s something out there for everyone. Here are eight of the best wireless speakers to look out for.
Ultimate Ears Boom 3
The Ultimate Ears Bloom 3 is a portable and lightweight speaker with an IP67 rating, and features like waterproof, dust resistant, and extra rugged look. Weighing 1.3 pounds, this lightweight speaker offers a battery life of up to 15 hours, making it a great choice for all your needs. The speaker costs around $149.99 and offers Bluetooth connectivity, alongside customization options for one-touch playlists on several platforms.
Sonos Roam
The small but powerful Sonos Roam weighs less than a pound (0.95 lbs) and features an ergonomic design with a rechargeable battery and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The speaker syncs with digital assistants, and is drop-proof and waterproof with an IP67 rating, and costs around $179, with a battery life of up to 10 hours.
Sonos Move
The Sonos Move is ideal for a sound system built throughout the house. Weighing 6.6 pounds, the speaker is strong by itself but can be linked with other Sonos devices to customize an immersive sound experience with easy voice control. The speaker costs about $398, has an IP56 rating, and a battery life of up to 11 hours, with connectivity to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Anker Soundcore Flare 2
Looking for a speaker to elevate your pool parties? The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 has an IPX7 rating, making it the perfect companion by the pool. It costs $79.99 and has a battery that lasts up to 12 hours. What sets it apart from other speakers is its beat-driven light that pulses with the rhythm of the music, taking your waterside soiree up a notch.
Bose Portable Smart Speaker
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is a wireless Bluetooth home speaker with voice control. It weighs 2.34 pounds and has a battery life of up to 12 hours. Rated IPX4, the speaker is durable and water resistant, and costs around $399. You can also choose to sync it with other Bose speakers or sound bars for multi-room listening.
JBL Clip 4
The JBL Clip 4 weighs 0.5 pounds and has an IP67 rating, making it waterproof and dustproof. The tiny smart speaker can easily be clipped onto your bags to carry on vacation or to the beach and offers a decent sound quality for its size. It is also cost-effective, priced at $49.99, and available in a range of colors.
Vizio Sound Bar
The Vizio Sound Bar weighs 15.9 pounds and offers great aesthetics and power. It is priced at around $299.99, and can be used to stream music wirelessly from any smart device and is easy to set up and use.
Sony SRS-XB12
The Sony SRS-XB12 is a small but mighty speaker that delivers powerful sound and boasts up to 16 hours of playtime. It weighs a mere 0.67 pounds, has an IP67 rating, and costs around $60, making it a great option in the range of cost-effective portable speakers. -
Entertainment
3 Popular Wireless Portable Speakers
Read MoreWireless portable speakers are a must-have for music lovers who like to carry their music everywhere they go. Most portable speakers currently available in the market are waterproof. So, you can use them in the shower or near the pool without having to worry about water damage. Here are some of the most popular wireless portable speakers that you can buy.
Bose SoundLink Revolve+
Bose is renowned around the globe for its speakers. This brand makes high-quality speakers in both the wireless as well as wired segments. Bose SoundLink Revolve+ is a wireless Bluetooth speaker. According to industry experts, the sound quality of this portable speaker is extremely good for its size. It is easy to handle and carry around because of its inbuilt handle. It is also water resistant. This speaker has a 360 degree omnidirectional sound, which means it spreads sound in all directions. Bose has fitted this speaker with good batteries that last for almost 15 hours. Furthermore, it has a threaded tripod mount and comes with an integrated microphone, which is handy if you have to make calls using the speaker.UE BOOM 2
This powerful and compact wireless Bluetooth speaker produces high-quality sounds. It is stain-resistant, shock resistant, and completely waterproof. UE BOOM 2 has a solid battery that lasts for 15 hours. It can be connected to another UE speaker if you want to enjoy stereo sound. This speaker lets you stream audio from your smart devices as well. It is available in six color variants and costs around $200. The company has changed the design of the drivers, which has resulted in the better and louder sound as compared to its predecessor. UE has also added gesture controls to this speaker. You can now tap on the top of the speaker to pause the music and double tap to forward the track.Tribit XSound Go
Tribit XSound Go is an excellent speaker for its price. It has great sound quality, and it is water-proof too. It costs around $36 to $40, and it is one of the cheapest yet high-quality speakers that you can buy. It has an auxiliary input and an inbuilt microphone to help you make calls. It has an impressive battery life, which lasts for 24 hours on medium volume. Therefore, this product is probably the best wireless portable speaker that you can buy on a budget. -
Entertainment
Popular Satellite TV and Internet Bundles in the Country
Read MoreSatellite TV and internet bundles are convenient because once you have invested in them, you only have to pay one bill for your phone, TV, and internet usage. Many top companies in the industry offer these bundles, and they are available at affordable monthly prices. They are ideal for homes that have a constant need for TV packages, internet connectivity, and phone lines. Every satellite service provider tries to beat their competitors by providing a discount on these package deals. Here are some of the best bundles for satellite TV and internet.
Dish 3-in-1 Bundle
Dish TV offers various 3-in-1 bundles that give you TV, internet, and phone connectivity. The prices of the packages start at around $49.99, and it goes up to around $139.99 for TV. The most expensive bundle has numerous channels and add-ons, which includes big names like HBO. The internet packages start at $49.99 and go up to $79.99 approximately, and they have different data caps. If you opt for this bundle, you can choose to add a phone line to the package by paying an extra fee of around $19.99 every month. Therefore, with the Dish TV bundle, you get the utmost flexibility because you can choose different packages for internet and TV services, and you can decide whether you want to opt for a phone line. Dish TV offers a fixed $10 credit on your bundle every month as well, and it also has many offers and discounts for your benefit.DIRECTV Bundle
With this 3-in-1 bundle from DIRECTV, you get to mix and match TV, internet, and phone bundles to create a customized package. DIRECTV offers six different TV packages with different channels based on your preferences. You get the highest number of channels in the Premier package, which costs around $110 per month. You can add a phone line to your bundle by paying $9.99 every month approximately. DIRECTV offers you a credit of $10 per month for bundling your services, and it brings in new offers and discounts from time to time to ensure that you get to enjoy your satellite TV and internet services without going over your monthly budget.If you are looking to reduce your monthly expenses on TV, internet, and phone services, the best thing you can do is get a satellite TV and internet bundle from ones of these companies.
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Entertainment
Top Xfinity Packages by Comcast Cable
Read MoreComcast owns Xfinity, which is a TV and internet service provider. Comcast started in the 1960s, and since then it has become a popular cable TV provider in the country. In 2010, when Comcast was in the process of merging with NBC, the company decided to rebrand its cable TV section to Xfinity. So now, Comcast is the parent company and the services provided by them are known as Xfinity. This information will help prevent any confusion because, in the section below, we are going to discuss some of the best Comcast Cable TV Packages, now known as Xfinity TV packages.
Xfinity Digital Preferred
This cable TV package from Xfinity costs around $59.99 for the first 12 months, and the user signs a contract for one year. You can watch more than 220 channels with this package, which includes MLB Network, Starz Encore, and NHL Network. It also gives you a choice between numerous “Xfinity on demand” channels, and the best part is that you can watch your favorite shows anytime and anywhere on your choice of device. You can watch channels from this package on a smartphone, a tablet, or your computer.X1 Preferred Double Play
This Comcast Cable TV package offers a cable TV facility along with an internet subscription. This package will cost around $114.99 per month for the first 12 months, and you will have to sign an agreement for one year. You can enjoy more than 220 digital channels with this package. Along with that, you will get an internet connection with download speeds of up to 150 Mbps as well as free access to millions of Wi-Fi hotspots. The X1 Preferred Double Play package will let you enjoy channels such as NHL Network and Starz Encore, among several others.Preferred XF Triple Play
This package from Xfinity is a three-in-one connection wherein you get a cable TV connection, an internet connection, and a phone line. This cost of this package is around $119.99 per month for the first 24 months, and you will need to sign a contract for two years. This package also provides 220 digital channels from all the popular networks. Additionally, you will get an internet connection with download speeds of up to 150 Mbps. You will also receive an unlimited talk time and text message package that is valid across the country.
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Your guide to getting FHA loan approvals
Read moreA Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is a type of mortgage which is insured by the FHA and is considered one of the most affordable and fastest loans to procure.
Simply put, the borrower needs to be approved by the FHA to get this loan. You may then look for different mortgage rates with different FHA-approved lenders. There are plenty of portals which may help you get fast quotes and you may subsequently take the process ahead with any lender whose rates you have found affordable.
Important guidelines to get an FHA loan approval
Discussed below are a few important aspects to keep in mind while applying for an FHA loan.Credit score
The credit score requirement to get an FHA loan approval is not stringent. The minimum eligible credit score for the same is 580. Even if you do not have a credit history, your lender will need to evaluate your eligibility, based on a non-traditional merged credit. Some borrowers may require a score of 640-680 to be eligible for this loan.While this is a guideline set, many lenders also give a loan to people with a credit score of at least 500.
Debt to income ratio
The debt to income ratio is a critical guideline followed by lenders to evaluate the eligibility of a borrower. It is a way in which lenders (even mortgage lenders) calculate a borrower’s ability to repay the debts, considering their regular incomes. The acceptable limit of this ratio is 31:43 to get an FHA loan approval.Mortgage insurance
Even though getting an approval for an FHA loan seems fairly easy, the real challenge arises in getting two types of mortgage insurances as prerequisites. One insurance needs to be paid fully while the other has to have a provision of being paid in monthly installments.Down payment
The minimum down payment required for an FHA loan approval is 3.5%. While the standard rate for down payment runs at 20%, the 3.5% comes as a great relief for borrowers who cannot afford such a high amount.Other important areas
A lender will look into your employment history, lawful residency in the US, as well as a valid Social Security number (SSN). You would also require to have an appraisal for the property from a verified FHA-approved appraiser.The other requirements differ from lender to lender, and it is always advisable to gather full information about your verified FHA loan lender before applying for a loan.
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3 ways SMA patients and caregivers can maintain a healthy relationship
Read moreThe relationship between a person diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their caregiver is a two-way street. It is important to remember that both the patient and caregiver have their individual needs that should be communicated clearly. Irrespective of whether the primary caregiver is a parent, friend, or someone who has been hired to take care of the SMA patient, there are a few important things to consider for a healthy relationship between them. Below are three tips for SMA patients to maintain a healthy relationship with their caregivers-
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes
SMA patients should remember that their caregivers, whether family, friends or professional caregivers, have their own schedules and needs. One needs to ensure that they don’t make any last-minute changes without informing the caregiver well in advance. A caregiver plans everything according to the SMA patient’s schedule, and any sudden changes might cause problems with the caregiver’s schedule and routine. It is important to remember that the caregiver is likely to have other jobs, people to meet, and other personal errands of their own. Hence, it is essential to inform the caregiver in advance if there are any changes to one’s schedule.
- Conveying one’s needs clearly
If an SMA patient is hiring someone through an agency or via the Internet, it is vital to know that the caregiver has probably had clients with a wide range of needs, levels of independence, and abilities. Hence, it is necessary for the patient to inform the caregiver about what their specific needs are, what tasks they can do, and what tasks they cannot perform. The best way that a caregiver will be able to help a patient properly and cater to all their needs is by just communicating with them. If one is used to doing certain things in a particular manner, let the caregiver know that beforehand so that they are able to do their job thoroughly by keeping their patient’s needs in mind.
- It is okay to have disagreements with the caregiver
When the caregiver is a friend or family member, fights and arguments are inevitable. However, when one has a fight, a confusion, a misunderstanding, or whether there is a simple disagreement with one’s caregiver, one needs to ensure that this tension does not last. It is important to communicate openly and work together towards solving the problem.
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes