Are you looking for a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that can provide you with plenty of storage space and also allow you to access your files remotely? If so, then you may want to take a look at the WD 8TB Cloud Home Duo. This device not only provides you with ample storage space, but it can also be easily accessed from anywhere in the world. In this post, we will provide you with a review of the WD 8TB Cloud Home Duo and discuss some of its key features. For home users, file storage can be a hassle. We want something we can just set up and forget about, not fumbling with external hard drives or countless USB thumb drives. And transferring it to one device then transferring it to another.
My Cloud Home Duo connects straight to your Wi-Fi network at home and allows you to save all your files in one location to keep all of your digital stuff. A NAS can be complicated, but this is a straightforward method for storing all of your images, movies, and other digital media. You can view, upload, and share your material from any location with an internet connection with the My Cloud Home app.
Even though power users like us would be more than happy to set up a primary NAS at home, many home users do not want or need something complicated, so WD’s My Cloud Home Duo is a viable option. I’m all about simplicity and ease of use being front and center with tech!
WD My Cloud Home Duo Features
WD My Cloud Home Duo comes in many storage configurations, including the one-bay and two-bay models. You can get the two-bay unit we tested with 4TB, 6TB, 8TB, 12TB, 16TB, and 20TB of storage, with prices going up accordingly. Ultimately, you get a better price per TB the higher you go. But…if you don’t know how much memory, the 8TB model is a perfect choice. Home Duo is for people who need a lot of data to be available across their network, and if you do not need that much, this might not be the drive for you.
You might have to wait a little while if you have a complicated network setup or if your computer is too far away from the router, but we were able to transfer five gigabytes in just under four minutes. Even when it may not be as fast as an external drive, you get the added benefit of accessing your files from any device on your network.
And that file access system is hard to fault, even if more advanced users will probably want a more advanced hardware and software package (Western Digital makes network drives if you need them). Whether you need access to files from the office or share a folder, everything is fast and easy. WD My Cloud Home Duo lets you set up multiple family members on the same account, so everyone has their little bit of private storage. The My Cloud Duo is a great option for centralized storage for videos, photos, files, basically anything you want to save and access. And the ability to access this content from anywhere you have internet is great.
Other features worth mentioning:
The ability to stream music, movies, and other media flawlessly (while connected to the internet)
Simple and easy app to operate (My Cloud Home app)
No subscription fees or monthly premium services.
Compatible with PCs, Macs, Apple iOS, and Android.
Sync backup for multiple devices
Dual hard drives with Mirror Mode (duplicate content storage)
Organization and integration with Box, Dropbox, Facebook, Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive, and more.
The My Cloud Home Duo Design
Cool, futuristic design (white)
Minimal LED lights
Easily serviceable
Size: 6 x 4 x 7 inches (so it’s not super bulky)
WD’s My Passport series got a new look recently, sporting a futuristic geometric design and color scheme. This design inspiration has carried over to My Cloud Home Duo. It’s time to say goodbye to bulky black boxes with bright LEDs in the front (which can be annoying). With this box, you get a chic white and grey box that goes anywhere in your home and doesn’t look garish.
A horizontal LED strip on the front indicates the drive’s status, while you can find its connectivity options on the back. You get a power button, two USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and a reset button.
Do You Really Need A Network Attached Storage (NAS) Device?
So this leads us to an important question. Do you really need a NAS device? Well…it depends. Before you roll your eyes at that canned response, consider this. If you’re like most people, you probably have a ton of digital stuff: photos, videos, music, documents, and more. And it’s only going to get bigger as time goes on. And what’s worse, our smartphones and the devices we use are coming with higher pixeled cameras which means…BINGO…our digital data will be larger!
So where do you keep all this stuff? Sure, you could just store it all on your computer’s hard drive. But what happens if something goes wrong with your computer and you lose everything? That’s where a network attached storage (NAS) device comes in. A NAS is basically just a storage device that you can connect to your home network. That way, you can back up your data and access it from any device on your network. Plus, NAS devices are usually much faster than external hard drives, so you can access your files
Price Point and Final Verdict
Back to the WD review. The WD My Cloud Home Duo is one of the best network storage solutions. It is excellent for people who want to get started with networked storage or who do not want to deal with all the options and settings you get with a fully-featured NAS drive. Standard NAS drives can be very difficult to set up and cumbersome to operate. After setting up WD My Cloud Home Duo, you can easily transfer files in minutes.
Although an external drive connected directly to your computer via USB will be much faster, access speeds are on par. Nothing jaw-dropping quick, but decent when it comes to speed. I will say that you probably need to think rather precisely about what you want from a storage solution before buying one of these (considering the $$).
Another thing to consider is the price. At the time this review was published, the latest WD My Cloud Home Duo prices vary by storage capacity. You can get the two-bay 4TB model for $339 or the 8TB model for $379 on Amazon. In the grand scheme of storage capacity, you get a lot of storage for your money, BUT…these drives are a bit expensive (and because there are two hard drives inside the two-bay model).
All in all, we are impressed with what the WD My Cloud Home Duo has to offer. As long as you do not need advanced networking or file-sharing features or super-fast transfer speeds, this is a solid external hard drive. It’s small, easy to use, quiet, and has ample storage space you can get to from anywhere.
If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for new pieces of technology to improve your home network. Recently, we had the chance to test out the Synology RT2600AC wifi router, and I was really impressed! Not only is this thing a workhorse when it comes to throughput and range, but it’s also packed with features that make it a great addition to any home network. The router market is snowballed with various options. There are many huge brands with excellent offerings, making it difficult for a newbie to choose the right one. Synology is one of the most popular companies for routers.
Synology RT2600AC Router Review – Everything You Should Know
As for a specific router, Synology RT2600AC is by far the most popular of the brand. Just on Amazon alone, this product has already yielded 3K+ reviews with an average of 4.4 out of 5 ratings. It truly is a poster child for Synology. And for good reason…
Synology RT2600AC Specs
Processor: Dual Core 1.7 GHz
Coverage Area: 3,000 square feet
Memory: 512 MB DDR3
Antenna: 4×4 MIMO Omni-Directional up to 2.53 Gbps wireless speeds
Hardware: 7 Engine
LAN Ports: 2
WAN Ports: 2
USB Ports: 2
Additional Ports: 1 SD Card Reader
Dimensions: 7x11x3 inches + 1.5 pounds
Switch And Button: WPS, USB/SD Eject, Reset, Wifi On/Off
WiFi Type: Dual Band
Maximum Device Connection: 100
Security WPS 2.0
Mobile Dongle Support: 3G and 4G
Let’s Talk About The Synology RT2600AC WiFi Router
Synology RT2600AC is the upgrade to its previous year’s release RT1900AC. As you may expect, it is a bit more pricey than the last but surely worth the cost. What this new version delivers on specs and performance more than triples the value compared to the previous version’s price. Many times, consumers will opt-in for the earlier versions because of price (they don’t see the increased value in newer versions). This is partly because they may not understand all the new tech involved with newer versions. And in some cases, opting in for older versions is cost-effective. But with the Synology RT2600AC router, you’ll be glad you spend a little more coin for a better product (a much better product). The router can support a quad-stream with 1733 megabits per second on the 5GHz band. The other band, 2.4GHz, can support 800Mbps. And that’s not even the best part. Are you sitting down? This Wifi router comes with an operating system, Synology Router Management (SRM). That’s pretty cool and I personally believe it lends itself to a better user experience. But I’m geeky like that. While most other routers rely on websites for management, the OS makes Synology RT2600 a standout.
As for user experience and ease of use, the Synology RT2600AC is easy to use (for novice users as well), even more, if you have experience using Windows or macOS. You can use it for search, get notifications, transition, open multiple windows, and more! Plus, the router keeps things very organized. This way, you can easily keep track of everything without a lot of hassle. The most impressive feature about the router is its Package Center. It enables users to add more features to the device, such as VPN server, Download station, Intrusion Prevention, etc. Synology currently offers eight free applications to support packages. The router is equipped with 512 MB of memory, which might seem a little inconvenient for many. But, it also comes with a solution. You can insert an external hard drive or SD card to add more storage. More memory in your router allows you to install more packages. That’s more of an advanced feature, but it will only take you about 20-30 minutes to research those extra packages to determine if that’s something you want or need.
Some of those additional packages include:
VPN Plus Server: turn your router into a powerful VPN server
Download Station: easily download files from the internet through BT, FTP, HTTP, and more.
Media Server: Easily stream files located on SD cards or attached storage
DNS Server: host multiple zones and provide name and IP address services
RADIUS Server: provides centralized authentication, authorization, and account management
Threat Prevention: protects your network from threats and malicious activities
Cloud Station Server: sync data from multiple platforms
It is also important to talk a little bit about security protocols in this Synology RT2600AC review. And, the router exceeds its older brothers and most other routers with strong parental controls. It features web filtering, HTTPS Sites blockage, and Ads reduction. On top of all, Synology RT2600 also features Traffic Control, which allows you to monitor your internet bandwidth with detailed reports and activity analysis.
Parental Controls and Content Filtering At The Router Level?
Yes! This is becoming a very popular and effective way of implementing parental controls. In this regard, Synology makes it easy. With their powerful traffic monitoring tools, you can easily set up bandwidth prioritization so your gaming console or smart TV always gets enough speed and never stutter or lag. Plus, you can keep kids away from harmful websites with just a few clicks by using custom profiles for different members of the family! Like most parental control features it includes the ability to assign devices to profiles (Gabe has one with his tablet, desktop, and phone linked to it). You can control the times those profiles have access to the internet, and set content filters for each profile based on their ages. Before I discovered the Firewalla, this was my go-to parental control system for the DDID Home.
Support? Other vendors should follow these folks.
Synology support is the best in the business for a number of reasons. First, Synology offers a wide range of products that are designed to meet the needs of a variety of users, so their support team is well-versed in all kinds of users. From entry-level to enterprise-level, Synology has a product and a support team member there for you to fit your needs. Synology offers a high level of customer support and their team of experts is available 24/7 to help you with any questions or issues you may have. The support via chat is second to none. I’ve personally resolved most issues in 15 minutes or less. If it takes longer (or is more complicated to handle over the phone or chat), there’s an option to allow them to remotely resolve the issue. And that remote access is an encrypted connection and the security for this is crazy cool. When it comes to tech support…compared to every device or service I’ve engaged with, Synology is the best I’ve ever experienced.
This wifi router is packed with features and can deliver great performance. Small, medium, or large home? Doesn’t matter. This is a great device all around. But is it the right router for you? Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of the RT2600AC to help you make an informed decision.
Pros
MU-MIMO Data Streaming
Package Center makes various tasks pretty easy; allows for some sweet add-ons for protection as well
Great performance with 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
Several management and monitoring tools
Powerful WiFi range
Setup, Management, and Connectivity are seamless and easy to understand
Simple yet Professional level controls for those wanting it
Comprehensive VPN server
Intrusion prevention
Regularly updated (a must-have option for Wifi routers)
No monthly fees!
Cons
Some would prefer that there should be support for combining LAN ports into a single connection. This is picky, but something some have said they wish it had (I don’t think it’s too much of an issue, but wanted to mention it).
Compared to premium VPN services, it’s not as good (again…compared with premium VPN services).
Lackluster options for VLAN (but this is again being picky and only advanced users would understand).
The Final Verdict For Synology RT2600AC?
Do you really need the Synology AC2600RT wifi router? Again, I’ll just say this was the device I use personally for my home network. When it comes to routers, there are a lot of options on the market. A lot of easy to operate, but lacking in other features. There are also a lot of complex and advanced routers that the everyday person would have no clue how to operate. But what about this one? Do you really need the Synology AC2600RT wifi router? Let’s recap briefly some of the features of this router to see if it’s worth the investment. The Synology AC2600RT router has incredible Gbps speeds, supports MU-MIMO technology for efficient data streaming, has efficient parental controls, and includes content filtering. It allows you to extend its functionality and offers stellar security protocols. This Wifi router also comes with four external antennas for stable signal performance. In addition, the router includes a built-in VPN server and firewall for security. And it’s easy to set up and use, even for beginners. To combine all of that into one device, this router is very powerful and offers ease to users. That’s a tough ratio to peg in today’s tech world. If you want to upgrade your old Synology routers or even upgrade from another brand, RT2600AC is one of the best options for you.
So you’re probably in the market for a router? You’ve maybe looked at a couple of places and have settled in on a mesh router. Maybe you’ve heard about the Gryphon AX and really want to know what the buzz is all about. I remember first seeing the Gryphon AX when a neighbor called me about helping him set it up. At first, I was like “Why didn’t you go with Google Nest Wifi?” And he said, “This came highly recommended from a friend at work.” I have to be honest, the Gryphon AX is a pretty sweet piece of mesh Wifi tech. With a flooded market of mesh routers, it can be difficult to pick the right one. Some of us default to what our friends recommend. Some of us hit the interwebs to find out. Gryphon is a popular brand offering these types of devices. One of their most talked-about mesh routers is Gryphon AX. But is it worth the hype? Should you buy it? Does it really deliver the blazing fast speeds it claims with Wifi 6? We’ll answer all these questions in this Gryphon AX review. So, let’s look at its features, pros, cons, and more!
The Ultimate Gryphon AX Review
Some of these specs are definitely worthy to geek out about, and a lot of these you may not understand. For those of you that may not have any idea what AC speed is and why that’s important, just briefly glance through this next section knowing that these specs are what we’d expect from a premium mesh Wifi router.
Gryphon AX Specs
Advanced Internet Protection: Provides next-gen firewall security that keeps your devices safe while using the internet
Wifi Guest option
Gryphon Homebound which is on the go security + enhanced parental controls
Powered by WiFi 6 (Gryphon claims a 40% increase in WiFi speed and total WiFi data throughput)
Speed: Can deliver up to 4.3 Gbps of total Wifi data throughput
Wireless Specification: 802.11ax
AC Speed: AX4300
Bands: 3
Antennas: 6 high-powered internal antennas
1 WAN Port + 1 Gigabit LAN Ports w/ Ethernet Backhaul
MU-MIMO: Yes
Quality of service (QoS): Yes (this allows you to prioritize the internet traffic of specific devices
Ipv6 compatible: Yes
Security Protocol: WPA2, WPA3
Area Coverage: Up to 3000 square feet
Nodes: 2
Anti-malware tools: Yes
Wired backhaul: Yes
DD-WRT: No
USB Ports: No
About Gryphon AX
The Gryphon AX comes in single and dual-router devices. The latter consists of identical white towers with an area coverage of 5000 square feet. However, the single node can still cover up to 3000 square feet, which is one of the highest square footage coverage areas in the mesh WiFi router market. Just one unit is perfect for small and medium-sized homes.
The mesh router offers an additional 40% faster WiFi connectivity. It means you can use several devices simultaneously and face no connectivity or speed issues. The device is tested to ensure no connection issues within its area coverage. My buddy has over 40 devices connected to his and noticed zero slow-down in speeds. That’s pretty impressive.
Gryphon AX also ensures reliability. Whether you are playing games, live streaming, or simply surfing the internet, you will notice a balanced and uninterrupted speed. Gryphon AX makes setup and management as easy as it gets. Thanks to the Gryphon app, you get full control over the mesh router. The app has all the basic and advanced options, including WiFi settings, band steering, and IoT networking. Plus, it is available for both iOS and Android. By scanning the QR code on the bottom of the router, you can get started with the application. I love how companies have really put a priority on easy setup and installation. It really shows with this device as well. I should note that at the time of this review, the only control method is through the app. You won’t be able to configure or do anything on a web-based interface. Not a deal-breaker, but I’ve read where some users wish this was an option.
However, one of the best things (maybe the BEST) about the Gryphon AX review is the device’s security features. It outsmarts most other mesh WiFi routers in this aspect. It allows you to set up a secure connection and monitor throughout. I love that it prevents unknown connections (like when my kids give away our Wifi password) and I love that I can track traffic history on my network.
Gryphon AX also offers parental controls, allowing you to manage an entire network from your mobile application. It is equipped with Intelligent Intrusion Detection, which quickly notifies you of any malware device connection in the network. The mesh router also features Malware Filtering, Regular Security Updates, and Ads reduction.
Gryphon AX has Device Vulnerability Scanning. It allows the mesh router to scan all the connected devices to give security updates (it runs the scanning on your smart appliances as well). Although it has top-notch security, you can upgrade to advanced protection. It comes free for 90 days. After that, you will have to pay $7.99 per month. Again, I don’t think that’s necessary, but is an option. The choices are good.
Gryphon AX Pros & Cons
Pros
Easy to install and manage
Strong security protocols and parental controls
Solid signal strength
Uninterrupted performance
Blazing speeds
Provides regular security updates
Blocks ads!
And a ton more!
Cons
Advanced security tools require a subscription
Compared to rivals in the market, it’s an expensive piece of hardware
The only control method is the Gryphon app
Have been some reports of being buggy with the Android app
So…Is The Gryphon AX Really Worth All The Buzz? Does It Really Deliver Blazing Fast Speeds?
The Gryphon wifi Router is definitely worth all the buzz! It’s a great router with tons of features and it’s very user-friendly. I highly recommend it! But..the question remains, should you buy it? Well, it depends entirely on your requirements. Depends on what you’re looking for in a mesh Wifi router. If you want a secure and strong mesh router with great parental controls and the capability of handling fast speeds, the Gryphon AX is a solid piece of equipment. For this price point, there are better options on the market (the Google Nest Wifi, for example).
Here’s Why You Should Buy Gryphon Ax Router From Amazon
Amazon is probably the best place to buy electronics because of its unbeatable prices, large selection, and convenient delivery. We’ll even add to that their return policy. With the Gryphon Ax router specifically, you get free returns and the process (if you’ve never done it) is amazingly easy. For the most part, you get pretty solid product support from Amazon. They won’t hassle you about returning an item. In fact, most of the time it’s all automated so there’s no one to talk to.
Gryphon Ax aside, electronics, in general, can be expensive, but Amazon offers great deals on all kinds of gadgets. You can also find rare and discontinued models on Amazon (even eBay for that matter), as well as the latest releases. Plus, Amazon Prime members enjoy free two-day shipping on most items.
Eero Pro is a new type of mesh WiFi router that promises to blanket your home with fast, reliable Internet. We put it to the test to see if it lives up to the hype. Spoiler alert: It does! The Eero Pro is hands-down, one of the best mesh WiFi routers we’ve ever used. If you’re in the market for a new router, or even if you’re not, this is one piece of tech worth checking out.
EERO was a start-up that got money from venture capitalists. It sold mesh Wi-Fi networks through many stores, like Amazon and Best Buy. Fast forward a little bit and now Amazon owns EERO. Extending your Wi-Fi network throughout your home or office with the EERO Pro Mesh Wi-Fi system is a fantastic option for improved speeds anywhere in your home. This device connects to your wireless network using a base station router and beacons. EERO Pro routers can be used together, or you can use a single EERO router with many beacons or any combination of these. If you want to buy this product, a few things have been tried and should be kept in mind. Read on for our full review of the Eero Pro mesh WiFi router.
Sleek Design + Easy To Match with Other Decor
With its sleek design and smaller size than most routers, the EERO Pro is a great device. Even more simple: There are no antennas on this one. There are just two Ethernet ports. It wasn’t as big of a feature in the past, but more and more consumers want their technology to look good, especially in their living areas. We don’t want these big, bulky technological eyesores right in the middle of the living room and kitchen. This is why I love the idea of beacons and waypoints. All you need is an outlet and they’re very discreet.
Installation Process: Setup Is Easier Than You Ever Imagined
Assuming you have a basic understanding of WiFi and routers, the eero Pro is actually quite easy to install. Simply follow the directions that come with the product and you should be up and running in no time! Plus, if you have any trouble, their customer support is excellent. If using a mesh network or setting up your own wireless network seemed too complex in the past, and you avoided it, then the EERO Pro will change your mind. We’ve never seen anything quite as simple as this, and it’s accomplished using a Smartphone app that guides you through each step. As we’ve talked about before in the past with other reviews, the amount of time and energy these hardware companies are pouring into their app development and design is manifesting itself with incredible ease of use and functionality. I don’t think integrated apps have EVER worked as well as they do now across the board. I only expect it to get better as time progresses.
Best Locations & Customized Suggestions for The Best Places To Go
With EERO Pro and beacons, you are free to place them wherever you want, but with the app, you can find the best spots in your living area. You can use the app to see suggestions that are specific to your home by telling it how many floors it has and selecting a floor plan that resembles yours. This simple feature is one of the most innovative functions for those who are unsure where to put beacons for the best signal through their living area.
Mesh WiFi routers are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to create a strong and reliable network by using multiple routers. The more routers you have in your mesh network, the stronger and more reliable your network will be.
One of the benefits of using a mesh WiFi router is that it can provide better connectivity in areas of your home or office where traditional routers struggle to reach. Additionally, mesh WiFi routers are often easier to set up and manage than traditional routers.
With the EERO Pro, it comes with WiFi 6. This type is the latest version of WiFi and it provides faster speeds and improved reliability. It’s backward compatible with previous versions of WiFi, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
WiFi 6 is also known as 802.11ax and it offers several improvements over older versions of WiFi. For example, it can handle more devices at once without experiencing a slowdown, and it’s better equipped to handle interference from other devices in your home or office.
The Pro version can cover up to 2,000 square feet for one unit and can support speeds up to a gigabit. The standard 6 version can get you speeds of up to 900Mbps.
On your iPhone or Android phone, you can download the EERO Smartphone app. When you start the network, you need the app to do it. You also need the app to keep the network running after you set it up. You can tell EERO has put a lot of ingenuity and innovation into the app platform. Simplicity is a theme we noticed throughout every aspect of EERO Pro.
Easy To Use
There is no web interface for managing EERO Pro, but don’t worry. Most routers have an app for management. I personally prefer the accessibility of using an app vs a web interface. The app is the only way to manage your router. I can see how that might steer someone away from getting one of these, but it shouldn’t. It’s the 2020s and it’s time to ditch your landline. Time to ditch your flip phone and get an upgrade.
Robust Parental Controls + Advance Features
If you’ve read anything we’ve posted about parental controls in the technology in our homes, you’d know it’s a high priority. The EERO checks the box on just about every parental control feature you’d want. Robust parental controls are built-in in EERO Pro, and you can control them through an app on your phone or tablet. In order to use it, you have to set up profiles for everyone in your family and assign devices to them. If you don’t want your kids to be online during homework time or at night, or if they don’t want to be online when it’s time for them to do homework, you can set up parental controls and internet pauses for them. This takes a little bit of time initially setting up and is relatively easy to do so, BUT…an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (or so the saying goes). Taking that time upfront to set up the parental features and advanced settings is worth it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
It’s easy to set up with a phone app.
You won’t have Wi-Fi “dead zones”, especially if you get a beacon or two. Something that you can experience with mesh routers.
Parents are all in charge.
Easily expandable
With no prior experience, it is easy to set up.
Fast wired and wireless speeds
Leverage the power of Wifi 6
Cons
There are only two Ethernet ports in the whole house (not a deal-breaker, but has been noted by some users that this is a pain point).
It is a little bit costly IF you don’t take advantage of all the amazing features.
There is no way to put devices or traffic first.
Concluding Thoughts On The EERO Pro
If you’re in the market for a new mesh wifi router, we highly recommend checking out EEOR Pro. It’s super easy to set up, comes with great parental controls, and has amazing connectivity and speeds. Plus, it comes packed with features that make it perfect for any home. There are a lot of different wifi routers on the market, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. If you’re looking for a router that will provide fast and reliable internet coverage throughout your entire home, then the Eero Pro mesh wifi router is a great option. Just remember: when it comes to tech if you buy cheap, you usually get cheap.
You’re addicted to your phone and we have the science to prove it! Not really…but sort of. We all know we’re a little too reliant on our phones. We’ve become accustomed to using them for everything, from checking the time to ordering takeout. Many of us don’t think we’re addicted to our phones, but that’s not what the science says. Some of you right now are probably thinking, ‘I’m not addicted, I can stop anytime I want to!’ But can you really, though?. In fact, did you know that science says you’re even more addicted to your phone than you realize? We recently read a study and the science says it might be worse than you think…
What Does Science Say About Our Phone Addictions?
We recently stumbled across a study commissioned by HMD Global about smartphones and our emotional responses to not having them. What we read was really shocking. On the surface level after reading the findings, I thought, ‘No way this is true”, but when I truly asked myself if I could go one day without my phone, I can kind of understand why some might have a response like those mentioned in a study of smartphone users. Here are some of the shocking highlights that I just found fascinating from this study of 2,000 smartphone users:
3 in 10 claims they never leave their house without their phone (I have to believe it’s more)
Most people are completely dependent on their smartphones for help
13% admit they can’t make it to work without a phone giving them directions! This one makes me laugh
Nearly 30% admit they are completely reliant on their phones for directions. Again, I think this is higher.
More than half believe running out of battery is a “nightmare scenario”.
One in eight people admits that a dying battery gives them anxiety.
Before you read on, revisit those highlights
Tips To Save Your Smartphone Battery Life
We all know how frustrating it is when our smartphone battery dies at the most inopportune time. And as this science suggests, it is causing anxiety in individuals. We don’t want that. Perhaps you are spending too much time on your phone and that’s the chief reason why the battery is dying. But…we still feel an obligation to help you so you don’t feel anxiety because of technology. To help you avoid that situation, here are some tips on how to save your battery life. There are really simple tips that won’t take a ton of time or know-how to accomplish.
Turn Off Location Services When You Don’t Need Them
In all seriousness, why is it important that Candy Crush knows my location? In most Apple and Android phones, finding your location settings and disabling them by each app is really easy.
Dim Your Screen Brightness As Low As Possible
This is one most people don’t like to do, but it can save you quite a bit of time on your battery. Most people at first don’t like the dimmed screen but give it a try for a few hours and you won’t even know the difference. If you do notice a difference, then increase the brightness just a little bit. You’ll be surprised at how used to the dimmed brightness you’ll become accustomed to after a while.
Feel The Vibrations! Not Really…Turn Them Off
Despite what Mark Mark says about good vibrations, they’re not good for your battery life. Unless you absolutely have to have them, I’d highly suggest saving a ton of battery life by turning them off. Disable vibrations and sounds when you don’t need them. Ever since I invested in a smartwatch I rarely have any sounds, vibrations, or notifications set on my phone. It all comes through my smartwatch. Even if you don’t have a smartwatch, disable the vibrations and opt-in for a less intrusive ringtone for calls and texts.
Uninstall Apps You’re Not Using
Depending on what app it is, you can save some much-needed battery life by uninstalling apps you don’t need, especially if those apps are tracking your location. What happens when you uninstall these pesky apps you don’t use? It results not only in improved battery life, but you’ll get better performance from your phone because you’ll have fewer processes being executed.
Update Your Phone’s Software When New Versions Are Released
One of the most important features smartphone makers are astutely aware of is battery life. There has been numerous consumer research and market research performed exhaustively on this topic of battery life and it is a high priority for users and phone manufacturers. They are always trying to tackle the battery life conundrum through hardware and software. Your smartphone’s software is one area they constantly are trying to improve, not only for user experience but for battery life as well. Updating your software is great for security purposes, but it’s also great for your battery life.
Invest In A Good Pair Of Headphones
I am shocked by how many people make phone calls, watch movies, listen to music, and a list of other things and use their smartphone’s internal speakers. It’s estimated that you lose about twice the power when using your phone’s speakers as opposed to headphones. You’ll drain your phone’s battery faster using those speakers.
This is a real issue. And it’s tough to balance between the feelings of “Am I addicted?” versus “I use my phone a lot for business and functioning in life.” So it’s not necessarily how much we check our phones and use them all day as much as how we feel towards the technology and our devices. For example, I just checked my usage stats on my smartphone and last week I averaged 94 pickups a day! But I’m a busy guy and the phone is a major part of my work life. On the flip side, if my teen is picking up his phone 100+ times a day, then that’s a different situation.
If you’re constantly checking your phone, even when you’re not expecting a call or text, then you might be addicted to your device. Another telltale sign is if you find yourself using your phone more often than you’d like to admit. If you can’t go a few hours without looking at your screen, then it’s time to take a break and reassess your relationship with your phone. Here are some really important questions to ask yourself. Take a moment to read each one and spend a moment of two really analyzing your emotions as it relates to each question. I’d highly recommend asking the same questions with your family and talking about everyone’s responses:
Can you go more than a few hours without checking your phone?
Do you feel anxious or antsy if you’re not using your phone for more than a half-hour?
Do you spend more time on your phone than you intended to?
Are you constantly interrupted by notifications from your phone?
Do phone notifications and time spent cause problems in your personal or professional life?
There are a few ways to cut back on your phone usage. One is to set specific times for when you’ll allow yourself to use it. For example, only allowing yourself to check social media during certain times of the day or week. Another way is to delete apps that you find yourself using too much. So to recap on the signs of phone addiction (in our “You might be a red-neck” voice):
You might be addicted to your phone if…you can’t go a few hours without checking it.
You might be addicted to your phone if…you feel anxious when you’re not around it.
You might be addicted to your phone if…you spend more time on your phone than you do talking to people.
You might be addicted to your phone if…it’s more important to check your notifications than it is to live your life!
You might be addicted to your phone if…your phone is a cause for relationship issues in your professional and personal life
How To Build Healthy Habits With Technology
It can be tough to break bad habits and build good ones, but it’s not impossible. Stay positive! Stay determined and diligent. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Practice Technology Mindfulness
Seriously, this works. I’ve talked with a handful of psychologists who says just the act of being aware of what we are doing can help. Be mindful of your technology usage. Pay attention to when and how often you’re using your devices, and try to make conscious decisions about whether or not you really need to use them.
Create Limitations And Stick To Them
Set limits for yourself. Decide how much time you’re going to spend on your devices each day (or week), and stick to it. There are a lot of apps and Apple’s screen time has this functionality built-in where you can track how much time spent on an app and set limitations.
Create Healthy Alternatives
If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media or watching videos, try substituting those activities with something healthier, like reading, walking, or talking with friends and family members.
Develop Healthy Tech Habits Can Be Hard, But…
Developing healthy habits with technology can be tricky. Sart by taking a look at some simple tips to help us save battery life on our devices (to lessen our anxiety) and be more mindful of our screen time. Once we have those down, we can begin to think about how we want to use technology in our lives. For example, maybe you decide that you want to keep your phone out of the bedroom so you can focus on getting a good night’s sleep or take breaks from social media every hour instead of checking it compulsively throughout the day. Maybe only use apps to help you stay focused for the next week or so. For some, you might need to put on more extreme measures like personal app tracking and management. There are plenty of great apps that block websites or limit your social media use during certain times of the day. Whatever changes you make, just remember that it takes time and practice to form new habits – Rome wasn’t built in a day! And even more important, don’t let technology and your phones get in the way of human interaction. Connect with people in person whenever possible!
Every day, we hear about cyber attacks and the damage they can do. Whether it’s a business or someone’s personal information that has been compromised, these attacks are becoming more and more common. And as our lives move more and more online, the need for good cybersecurity becomes even more important. One way to help protect your home or business network is by using a firewall. A firewall is a piece of software or hardware that helps to prevent unauthorized access to your computer or network. There are many different types of firewalls available, but one you may want to consider is Firewalla Gold.
Firewalla Gold is a firewall designed for home and small business users. It provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. In this Firewalla Gold review, we dive deep enough to find out if this firewall hardware is the best device for monitoring your business or home network.
Firewalla Gold Explained
Firewalla Gold is a cybersecurity device that combines a router and a smart firewall in one compact design. How does it compare to other Firewalla devices? Comparing Gold to Firewalla Red and Blue, the Gold is packed with features and benefits (and we’ll get into all of those below). It can support over 3 Gigabit of throughput on top of the existing feature sets (versus 1 Gigabit of throughput you get with Firewalla Purple). Firewalla Gold introduces many exciting new functionalities. What kind of amazing functionalities? Router mode, network segmentation, and enhancement and rules. Firewalla Gold is a fully functional router. The new Firewalla Purple has some of these features as well.
With four Ethernet ports with Gold, you can segment the network with physical LANS and VLANs to isolate traffic in different segments and apply different policies. For example, you can create a guest network as a VLAN and block devices in the guest network from accessing other parts of your network. You can also use a device group when you want to manage multiple devices with the same policy that you can set up and customize. For example, on your kids’ devices with one tap, you can control internet access for all devices in the group. Simple. As a parent, this is one beefy piece of hardware that can do a ton to help you monitor and manage your home network. There are many other design features we love, but here are some of our quick thoughts on the Firewalla Gold.
Our Quick Thoughts On Firewalla Gold
Pros: We love how Firewalla claims “Firewalla Gold [is] the world’s most affordable multi-gigabit smart firewall.” And after doing some research, this is primarily true. Firewalla Gold does a LOT. If you want privacy protection? You got it. Looking for optimal cyber security? Dunzo. Parental controls? Bingo. We counted over 20 useful and effective features and benefits of Firewalla Gold. It’s just layer after layer of enhanced and effective security for your home or business network.
Cons: This device does a TON! The amount of features and benefits along with all the other bells and whistles, and amounts of data you can find is incredible. So how is that a bad thing? Well…it can be a bit overwhelming. Although we didn’t find installing and using Firewalla Gold to be terribly difficult, we understand how many entry-level users could experience a learning curve with this piece of somewhat complex hardware. But diving into the tutorials and help support on their website will help reconcile any issues you face. Spending a modest 15-20 minutes to learn and understand how to install Gold will pay dividends. During the review, we really didn’t find anything of negative value about Firewalla Gold.
Verdict: Firewalla Gold is the perfect solution for any family that wants complete control of their home network. Whether you are looking to block pesky ads or protect against hackers, this device offers it all with ease and precision! Takes a little bit of time for setup, but the benefits are definitely there.
As if its innovative features weren’t enough reason alone why every household serious about network security should consider getting one today…it also comes at an affordable price point (within the context of what it can do) which will fit even those tight budgets out there.
Firewalla Gold is a great solution for monitoring your home network security and even your business. It’s a powerful firewall and intrusion detection system that will protect your data and keep you and your business and family safe online. This is a perfect device especially if you run a business from home. A few of my favorite features of this product are that it acts as a firewall, has a 3 Gigabit deep packet inspection hardware (compared to Purple’s 1 Gigabit), and has content and policy-based routing. Other features worth mentioning are:
VPN Client (for secure browsing and streaming, encrypts your data)
Bridge Mode which can bridge two networks seamlessly together
Simple plug and play features for setup (they claim 5 minutes…for most, it might take a little longer though)
Robust network segmentation
Enhanced and effective parental controls
Built-in ad blocker
Geo-blocking
Multiple WLAN Connections. You can hook up to 4 separate WLAN connections. For example, while I’m already using 2 connections, I can also use one for my fiber connection and another for my Starlink Satellite. I can load balance them, failover them, or load balance them with a priority level for each port. Firewalla Gold’s multiple WLAN connections feature is pretty sweet.
Has 32GB of storage
Firewalla Gold Is relatively small
A VPN encryption speed of 120 Mbits
This is a very robust piece of hardware and many will be overwhelmed with the amount of data you can get from Firewalla Gold. The trick is sifting out what is important to you as the user. And those priorities are probably going to be different from parent to a business person. You might understand some of what was mentioned above. But there may be some of you who won’t exactly know what all of this is. And that’s okay. Just understand that it’s awesome tech. But features smeatures. How do all of these high-tech, enhanced features benefit you?
Bear with us because some of these benefits just won’t speak to you. Some of them we get geeked about and some are ones most people (parents…we’re talking to you) can relate to. Here are some of the benefits of the Firewalla Gold that you should be stoked about:
Incredible protection. Firewalla Gold will keep your devices and data safe from cyber attacks
Firewalla’s VPN client alone is worth the cost of the device. No monthly contracts. After a few years, on this benefit alone it can pay for itself.
Firewalla Gold will monitor and control internet usage of every device connected to your network. Want to restrict internet access on one device and not the other? Easy. Don’t want little Jonny playing online games between 5-7? Simple. Want to receive alerts and notifications about certain online activity on your network? Not a problem. Block adult content. Easy. Block porn. No sweat. Want application-based monitoring? Firewalla does it all.
The Firewalla app and its integration with the piece of hardware is flawless and easy to operate. If you do have issues, there are ample amounts of tutorials online to help.
Geo-Blocking is another awesome benefit because we can block any network traffic from China, Turkey, Russian, Taiwan, Romania, and any of those countries that have a high concentration of incredible hackers. This benefit alone can stop hackers from attacking your business and personal data.
Firewalla Gold is going to block ads, which let’s be honest…can be very annoying at times.
Building a well-oiled and well-protected network is a breeze. Block domains and domains with wildcards. Block IP addresses. Port-based blocking abilities. Notifications when any device is online or offline. Regulate network traffic so you can prioritize traffic and reduce delays. Get impeccable and useful data insights into your network usage.
It’s understandable why there would be a little bit of overwhelm when looking at all the amazing things Firewalla Gold can do. It has a lot of power to do some incredible things. Theoretically, it is built for the advanced user. BUT…Firewalla Gold is the piece of hardware that will make you feel secure knowing your home and business networks are protected.
How Do I Install Firewalla Gold (H2)
Firewalla makes it easy to get started with their products by providing a step-by step guide on how you can easily install them. First of all, download the free Firewalla app from either Apple Store or Google Play store and follow instructions for connecting devices including plugging in the power code provided along with cords that connect everything together nicely.
Firewalla Gold Help/Support (H2)
The company’s support services are phenomenal. They offer a variety of ways to get help, including an extensive community and router compatibility checker tool that can pinpoint any issues you’re having with your device in just seconds!
All in all, their support services include a help center, a community (and I have found a lot of useful information there), router compatibility look-up, install guides, user manuals, app download helps, troubleshooting guides, and your basic contact help support tickets.
Firewalla Warranties
We’re happy to report that Firewalla is a brand we can trust. The warranty for their products stands behind its promise of quality and longevity, as well! All Firewalla hardware (Gold included) is backed by a limited one-year manufacturer’s warranty. In the scope of hardware devices, a one-year warranty is pretty good. This doesn’t mean you can be rough with the device. It is a Limited Warranty under normal use and service. They also have a decent return policy as well (30 days), but if you don’t buy directly from Firewalla (like Amazon, Indiegogo, or another reseller) you will have to follow those store policies on returns and refunds.
If you’re in the market for a new network security solution or are just curious about Firewalla Gold (or any of their other products like Firewalla Purple), we highly recommend giving this one a try. It’s an investment that could very well pay off in the long run thanks to its combination of features, benefits, vast online community, and customer service. Plus, if you do happen to have any issues with your device, Firewalla’s support is top-notch and they offer a decent hardware warranty that will make you feel at ease. They literally take the risk out of delivering you optimal security for your home or business. Grab a Firewalla Gold today!
