aluratek - Tumblr blog

[aluratek]

What You Need to Know About Biometric and Fingerprint Technology

What You Need to Know About Biometric and Fingerprint Technology

Biometric technology is nothing new and has been around here for decades. Here’s the low down on biometric technology and the newest addition to our line of essentials for traveling or to add to your home security.

What Is Biometrics

Biometrics is an automated process of recognizing certain characteristics. By definition, it is the measurement and statistical analysis of people’s unique physical and behavioral characteristics. A lot of people mistake biometric data for personal data but they are completely separate. Personal data can be stolen, whereas biometrics cannot.

A fingerprint scanner has some basic functions - scanning your finger (obviously) and detecting those small ridges and other characteristics. It takes a picture and makes sure it matches those pre-scanned images. Key unique characteristics are saved and then encrypted into a mathematical code.

Is it Safe?

Well, biometric fingerprints don’t necessarily save your fingerprint (technically). But it does save the mathematical numbers associated with your fingerprint, so really nothing can be compromised. It’s like trying to steal a mathematical code associated to someone. It most likely won’t happen, and if it does, it’d be REALLY hard to gain access to.

Why You Need a BioMetric Lock

The Pros

Fingerprints are much harder to obtain than guessing pass codes and you don’t have to worry about getting your identity checked. It’s safer, you can’t misplace anything, and you can’t forget a fingerprint like you forget other things. It always has a trail and captures everything in real time. This is the perfect tool for not only travelling, but for safety, too.

The best thing of course, is the security with a fingerprint lock. Intruders are much less likely to obtain your fingerprint whereas a key or password can be stolen.

The Cons

The only major con about fingerprint locks is that it is constantly running, and we mean constantly. It is always running on electricity, and there’s no way to get in unless you recharge it or have extra batteries at hand - depending on the item.

Making the Most of Your Security

And although biometric technology is a good solution, here’s a tip to make the most out of your security. Be sure to have a second hand of security in place, like a keypad just in case your battery runs out. Most biometric locks come with an additional lock just in case.

Our Biometric Locks

We have recently launched our new locks with biometric smart technology. From TSA approved locks to XL locks, travel stress free for on the go or use it at home. Check it out here.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/5676/

[aluratek]

How to Set-Up and Upload Photos to your Aluratek Wifi Digital Photo Frame

Congrats! You've bought an Aluratek Wifi Digital Photo Frame! Here you will see step-by-step instructions on how to setup your frame and start uploading pictures! Stay tuned to the bottom for a Pro Tip!

Open up your wifi frame box and plug in the frame into an outlet. Make sure you fully charge the device with batteries before initial use.

Navigate the main main home page on the frame

Click on ‘settings’

Then select ‘‘wifi setting’ and navigate to your home wifi network. Enter in your network password and wait for it to say ‘Connected’. If it does not say ‘connected’ it is not properly set up. (Secured means it is not properly connected)

Using your mobile device, navigate to your iOS or Android application store and search for “Aluratek Wifi Frame” Download the app to your smartphone.

Once downloaded open the app and select ‘binding equipment’ and on the frame navigate to “settings’ -> ‘Device info.” Enter in the “Frame ID No” on the frame into the smarphone app where it says “please enter device number”

Select ‘Bind” on the application. You will be prompted to name your device and your nickname. 

To upload photos, navigate back to the main home screen on the application and select ‘Gallery.” Here you will be brought to the photos on your smartphone. Select the photos you want to upload to your device and select “finish” in the top right hand corner.

Your photos will begin uploading and you will be see a notification on your wifi frame

Now you’re ready to start uploading hundreds of pictures for you to enjoy on your Aluratek Wifi Digital Photo Frame! Pro Tip: If you give your Aluratek frame to your loved one, you can set up the frame beforehand, and surprise them with pictures all year round!

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/how-to-set-up-and-upload-photos-to-your-aluratek-wifi-digital-photo-frame/

[aluratek]

The Best Tool For Home Safety

We’ve all had those scares when we’re home alone, wondering if someone may or not break in. And when you’re on a business trip or just need some extra privacy, there’s always a tool to help with this. We’ve just released our door jammer, and honestly, we’re pretty stoked about it and here’s why:

Perfect for Traveling

Traveling alone itself can already be a scary situation. And nowadays with home rentals being a norm, and increased reports of crime and theft, it’s always better safe than sorry. When you’re busing prepping for a conference in your room, take an extra step and secure a door jammer with ease. This item is also super compact and portable for traveling, so you can easily pack it and go.

When You’re At Home

If your family ever leaves off on vacation without you, or just need an extra added security addition, this is the perfect tool. After hearing countless stories of people getting robbed even when people are at home, is enough to add this feature to your home.

Additional Tips

Here are some other tips we recommend to secure your doors:

Make sure you invest in quality doors: We recommend solid wood or metal, but of course, there are some drawbacks like maintenance of metal doors or using a carjack to get by.

Invest in a deadbolt: deadbolts are easy to find at your nearest home appliance store, is another layer of security, and can protect you from unwanted visitors.

Remove your windows: I know, no added sunlight to your house but now, no one will try breaking your windows to unlock your door.

These are just a couple of added steps to help you secure your door at home.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/5659/

[aluratek]

This Bluetooth device will simultaneously upgrade your car and make it safer at the same time

Are you one of those rebels on the road that hasn’t upgraded your car with Bluetooth ‘hands-free’ technology? If you haven’t, chances are your car doesn’t have a Bluetooth capable radio. If you’re in one of the states that prohibits this, then you’re breakin’ the law! Not only is driving while holding the phone super inconvenient, it’s also very dangerous. Luckily, there’s a product that has the ability to not only upgrade your car stereo but also will make a much safer ride for you.

Product Spotlight: Universal Bluetooth Audio Receiver and FM Transmitter

1. Connects your Bluetooth through the radio

Using a blank station from your car’s radio, you can connect your phone using Bluetooth using this device.

2. Stream any music from your device through your radio

Stream your favorite music from any device, using the USB music port or the Bluetooth connection to listen to music from your phone or iPod.

3. Answer phone calls safely

Answer the phone using the button on the device to take calls through your car’s loudspeaker. This will not only make driving easier but will allow you to make your car a safer ride with hands-free calling.

4. Charge two devices at once

With the dual USB ports, this device is your best friend on a road trip. You and your friend no longer have to fight on who gets to use the charger.

You cannot put a price on safety, but this little device is only $29.99 MSRP. This will not only save you the hassle of getting a new stereo in your car, but will also increase your chances of a safer ride.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/this-bluetooth-device-will-simultaneously-upgrade-your-car-and-make-it-safer-at-the-same-time/

[aluratek]

Why You Need These 3 Gadgets For Camping

Summer’s approaching and you know what that means: enjoying the outdoors, grilling barbeque with friends, and everything else in between.

One of our favorite past time things to do has to be camping - from enjoying the scenic views of Yosemite to hiking a nearby trail. And when it comes to that, there’s no price for safety. Anything could go wrong with one mistake or wrong turn. So of course, we’re here to help you be prepared as much as possible. We’re highlighting some of our favorite tools to help you enjoy your summer.

4-in-1 Emergency Kit

Having a light at hand is essential to enjoying your night out while camping or chilling by the campfire. And although a lantern may seem ideal, it can carry additional unnecessary weight that you don’t need, especially if you’re backpacking. This LED light is perfect for carrying around, and also served other purposes - a phone charger, an emergency tool, and a roadside assistance tool.

Light It Up

Yes, we know. It’s a flashlight and it’s kind of a given to have one at all times. What makes ours so different? Well, it’s very similar to the above tool in that it’s more than “just” a flashlight. If you’re on a road trip and get into any kind of accident, this nifty tool has a tool to power a dead smartphone battery and can also break window or cut a seatbelt. And of course, it’s perfect for hiking and never leaving you in the dark.

Power It Up

Being on our phones is probably not a priority when it comes to camping, but when something happens, it’s good to have it on hand. Charge up your phone with a power bank for when you need to make those emergency calls, and, it doubles up as a light. It’s a win-win situation.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/5647/

[aluratek]

How to Add Bluetooth to Your Old Car

It’s okay if you have an old car...really. But when you want to jam out to your favorite tunes, listen to that suspenseful audio book on the drive, but are left with no auxiliary cord, then that could be a problem. Enter our bluetooth receiver and FM transmitter which solves just this problem. Here are some of the reasons we absolutely love this product (and we’re not just saying that):

Stream Your Favorites

When you’re on that long car drive to cross country and need a little audio book pick me up, or just need some tunes to jam in the car, simply plug this in to your cigarette lighter adapter port, turn on the bluetooth function on your device and turn to a unused FM radio and start rocking (or reading?) out.

Chat On The Ride

Answering calls is easy with a click of a button. Whether you’re dealing with business calls, or getting lectured by your family members, receiving calls has never been so easy. Literally, with one click of a button.

Charge Up

Our transmitter also comes with dual USB ports. Charge your phone while simultaneously using the bluetooth option. You won’t be fighting with your passenger about switching phones to charge with that one USB port.

And voila! You now have enable bluetooth functions in your car. Now, that was easy! Be sure to snag one here because let’s face it, it’ll make your ride that more enjoyable! You’re welcome.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/5642/

[aluratek]

Graduation Gifts for Everyone

June is right around the corner and graduation season is approaching. Your friends and loved ones are about to embark on a new journey in life. Whether it’s graduating high school or college, it’s a big milestone in life. As your graduate embarks on this new landmark into adulthood, it can be an exciting and scary time. This time of year is usually hectic with summer plans in the works, multiple graduations to attend. We want to help you find the perfect gift for all of the graduates, that won’t hurt your wallet!

Here are 4 awesome graduation gifts:

1. Power bank with LED lantern

College grads typically get out of town and travel around before setting down into a job. Power banks are extremely handy for traveling, especially when backpacking. This power bank comes equipped with an LED light that is great for extra light when camping.

2. Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth headphones are all the rage right now. When traveling, these headphones are great for eliminating pesky cords. These headphones are great for blocking out sound on airplanes, or noisy places.

3. Dynamite Dual Bluetooth Speakers

High school graduates and college grads alike are in party mode as soon as they graduate. These speakers are pretty much required if you’re hanging out by the pool this summer. You can listen to the

Graduation gifts shouldn’t hurt your wallet. But you also want to get your friends something memorable and useful! Checkout more functional yet affordable products here.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/grdaution-gifts-for-everyone/

[aluratek]

Just In: New Qi Charging Pad

The fight between cables and wireless charging is on, and it’s no wonder why wireless charging has been cropping up over the past few years. Cutting out the chords is the best way to add an easy charging experience to your home or office. But exactly how does it work, and is it worth changing your normal charging routine up? Let’s find out.

What is Wireless charging?

Wireless charging is exactly what it sounds like: charging without the hassle of plugging in a cable to your phone. With devices like the iPhone 8 and up or Samsung Galaxy S6 and up, these phones are qi enabled and can be charged on wireless pads.

It’s a fairly simple concept to grasp - charging using an electromagnetic field in one device to induce an electric current in a metal coil from another device. However, even though it’s deemed wireless, it’s not completely wireless. You still need to plug in the charger pad to a power source - whether that’s a laptop or a wall charger.Which brings us to our next question.

Do I Really Need a Qi Charger?

Wireless charging is really dependent on the person and their lifestyle. Some people prefer one or the other but there really is no right answer.

Quick or slow charge

If you’re looking for a fast charge, then it probably isn’t the best for you. Cable charging is better for a faster charge, whereas a qi pad is perfect for setting to the side while doing work, charging for overnight, or topping off your phone before leaving for that party.

Work Flow

If you’re constantly on the phone and picking up business calls, then the Qi charger is a perfect option. You don’t have to worry about unplugging and plugging back the cable when your call is over or when you have to retrieve another call right after the other.

On Your Bedside

If you’re an avid texter or phone user especially when you’re lying in bed, then this is the perfect option for you. Text and pick up your phone, put it down when you’re ready to go to sleep, and don’t worry about plugging in the cable ever again.

If this sounds like a perfect fit for you, then take a look at our newest qi charging pad. It’s long enough to plug into a wall source, simple and sleek, black so it’ll fit in well in almost any room or office. You can check it out here.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/just-in-new-qi-charging-pad/

[aluratek]

Last Minute Mother’s Day Gift Idea for your Best Lady

Are you struggling to find a Mother’s Day present for the MOST important woman in your life? It’s alright we know you’re busy. You’ve got kids now and you’re probably like ‘oh sh*t its Mother’s Day this weekend and have no clue what to get your own Mom. Well, don’t worry we got you covered. The perfect Mother's Day gift is one you probably haven't even considered. Get your mom something that will speak to her heart, as well as be easy on our wallet.

The perfect  Mother's Day gift

Wifi Digital Photo Frame

The wifi digital photo frame is the perfect gift for your mom this Mother's Day. You can purchase this frame for your mom prior to Mother’s Day, load a bunch of pictures from the year of the kids sports games, family bbq’s, birthday parties, and all of the fun stuff they may have missed out on, and wrap it up all pretty and send it over as your gift. She'll be thrilled she gets to feel like she's not missing out on anything.

Also, while you're visiting her you can use your smart phone and upload brand new pictures for her instantly! That way, she's always getting fresh pictures whenever you want to give her some! You don't have to trudge down to CVS or Rite Aid and print a bunch of pictures that are just going to collect dust. Instead of your mom asking for you to send her pictures all year you can give them to her all at once, AND she’ll have them playing on a slideshow all year long so she can watch them all the time.

Luckily, we know a pretty awesome company who makes Wifi Digital Photo Frames that are perfect for Mother’s Day! This same company may or may not be offering up to $50 off for these awesome frames.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/last-minute-mothers-day-gift-idea-for-your-best-lady/

[aluratek]

Why You Need These Bluetooth Speakers

Out are the days where an aux chord is needed and in are the days where bluetooth speakers reign the era. Here are some creative ways to use our dual bluetooth speakers to for the upcoming season. You can’t limit yourself to just using it at parties, that’s for sure!

Bathroom-friendly

Take a step back and relax, because we got you covered. After a long stressful day at work, one of the best ways to ease your mind and unwind is to take a bath with some relaxing music on. Play music from your phone while sipping on your favorite bubbly (just kidding, we don’t condone drinking whatsoever) and bump up some karaoke songs or chill vibes - whatever your heart desires. Space out the speakers so it’ll encompass the whole bathroom - you’ll be rocking out in no time.

Date-friendly

Portable bluetooth speakers are the best invention ever. Whether you’re kayaking by the lake or taking a quick bike ride to the beach, tuck these into your fanny pak or small backpack with ease. Impress your date with some ambiance music - trust us, you’ll thank us later.

Uncle-Friendly

Whether you want to play your music loud at Aunt Jen’s holiday party or want to karaoke with your family, these speakers are perfect for just that. Put one in your living room and the dining table so everyone can enjoy your uncle’s terrible singing!

Instructor-friendly

Whether you’re a yoga instructor, teacher, or teaching a group the skills of throwing a wheel, these speakers are perfect for the teachers out there. Carry them in and out with ease, and you’ll never have to worry about lugging in heavy speakers again every single day. Pop some in the front and back of the class so everyone can hear the full effect of these bad boys.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/why-you-need-these-bluetooth-speakers/

[aluratek]

Snag this Amazon Deal

We’re highlighting some of our product deals on Amazon this week and we wouldn’t want you to miss out. Save a few bucks and use it on that morning latte instead!

Universal Bluetooth Cassette

We are absolutely obsessed with this product (if you haven’t noticed on our social media). But there are definitely a few reasons for that.

If you have an old sound system and you’re not quite ready to spend too much replacing your sound system, or even your car, this is the perfect option. And just like a cassette tape, it sounds like a cassette tape but has an added bluetooth function to it to play your favorite songs. Pair up your device and start singing away!

Universal Foldable Laptop Stand

Ergonomic friendly products is something I always vouch for and for so many good reasons. That extra tool can really change the way you feel throughout the day. Whether you’re working from home or a straight 9-to-5 grind, investing in a laptop stand or standing desk can make all the difference.

We love this foldable laptop stand for a couple of different reasons. It’s portable so you can take it from work to home, and easily set it up at your own convenience. With its sleek and simple design, it doesn’t go noticed and can fit into almost any environment.

Headphone Stand

It never hurts to stay organized and to store your cherished equipment (in this case, headphones) properly. Not only are you storing it safely and properly, but displaying your headphones adds that extra punch to your room or office.

With its aluminum finish, our headphone stand will go with any room and is perfect for your bluetooth or wired headphones.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/snag-this-amazon-deal/

[aluratek]

Ewaste: How to Save your Identity

We all spend time making sure to shred our important paper documents, but what do you do with your ewaste and old electronics? How much thought do you put into your old cell phones from 5, 10, even 15 years ago sitting in that junk drawer?

image: asg.uark.edu

It turns out that old electronics are vulnerable to being hacked. Even if you’ve cleared off the data. Old passwords, your social security number and other personal information are vulnerable to being stolen from an old device. It is important to properly dispose of your ewaste, if you don’t you could have a massive headache on your horizon.

Here are 3 ways you can get rid of your ewaste:

Find a hard drive and phone shredding service

The easiest way to ensure that your hard drive is completely wiped of your personal information is to destroy the hard drive. Destroying the hard drive ensures that no data can be retrieved from your device. There are a ton of services available where you can bring them your ewaste and they will crush and recycle the old metal and plastic.

Take your products to buy back service

A lot of times electronics companies have buyback programs where they will buy their products back, replace the hard drive, and sometimes even give you money for your old device. Best buy has a great program where you can bring in your old products.

3. Donate your products to a charity

There are a ton of charities that will take back your old devices, refurbish them and sell them. They even provide jobs for people to help do the refurbishing. There are a ton of local charities that do this kind of work. Recycling for Charities is the one i've heard of. You can do a search to see if it's in your area.

The main takeaway is to make sure you're aware of your old devices and to make sure you're taking care of the information on your phone. You can also google ways to wipe the hard drive, but as I mentioned above, the safest bet is to take is to make sure it is destroyed or completely wiped of the information.

  from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/ewaste-how-to-save-your-identity/

[aluratek]

Best Free Photo Editing Apps You Need

Out are the days of spending a couple hundred dollars for photo editing apps, in are the days of scouting for the best free photo editing apps. Not only are these apps quick and easy to use, but they’re very comparable to expensive editing apps you can find on the market. Here is a quick rundown of some of our favorite apps.

Photo by Annapolis & Co.

Adobe Lightroom (Phone)

A recent discover we just made, Lightroom for our phone stands as one of our top picks. If you’ve used it on the computer before, it makes for a great photo indexing tool and has a lot of capabilities to batch edit photos. But it is pricier for the computer, and thankfully, the phone version is perfect if you just want to edit a few photos here and there. What makes this editing tool stand apart from the rest definitely has to be the color mixer - which many apps don’t boast. From changing the hues, luminance, and saturation of individual colors, this is a key tool for me when looking for a good editing tool.

VSCO Cam

VSCO is a personal fan favorite, with a huge community behind this app (type in #vsco and you’ll see for yourself). It holds basic editing tools that are perfect for everyone, but this app definitely emulates a more trendy and hip tribe. With its preset filters, it’s a go-to tool when I want to make my feed look like I just stepped out of the 90’s. It’s clean and simple interface makes it easy to navigate around, and it’s free filters are perfect enough for what I need.

SnapSeed

A popular app and one of the most downloadable apps is SnapSeed. With it’s easy to use interface, it has gained a lot of traction for those looking to start learning how to edit. On the flip side, it has some advanced functions like a healing brush tool or a brush tool to specifically edit certain parts of a picture. You can also copy your photo edits and replicate it if you want to keep editing!

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/best-free-photo-editing-apps-you-need/

[aluratek]

The Correct Way to Charge Your Devices

Battery life is a big topic in the electronics world these days. Without a battery, your electronic devices become a big hunk of metal junk. Apple has been in the spotlight recently after they openly admitted they slow down batteries after a certain time frame.  Even without interference, all devices have a finite amount of full charges, after which it starts to lose its full power. The correct way to charge your devices is simpler than you think. In order to preserve your device’s battery life, you need to adopt good charging habits and take care of your batteries’ storage.

Here’s some tips on the correct way to charge your devices:

The Story Behind Lithium-ion Batteries

The reason lithium batteries lose their juice after a certain amount of time really has to do with their makeup. As explained by Popular Science:

"When the battery is charging, positively-charged lithium ions move from one electrode, called the cathode, to the other, known as the anode, through an electrolyte solution in the battery cell. That causes electrons to concentrate on the anode, at the negative side. When the battery is discharged, the reverse happens. As for those electrons, they move through circuits that are external to the battery, providing juice."

Those electrons, are what is powering your smartphone, power station, Qi charger, tablet etc. Even with the technological advances with these batteries, all lithium batteries have a limited life time. The amount of charges varies between products. For example, an Apple iPhone holds about 500 recharges per phone. If you charge your phone every night, that’s 365 charges per year and that’s if you only charge one a day.

Charging and Recharging

So the question remains, how do you make your lithium-ion batteries last as long as possible? A common misconception is that you need to charge and discharge your device right out of the packaging, but this isn’t true. What matters most is how you charge your device after using it.

Shallow charges are better than full charges. Over time they put less stress on the battery. When the battery is discharging, you should let is go below 50% before charging back up again. You should also avoid pushing the battery all the way to 100%.

If you do push your battery up to 100%, DO NOT leave it plugged in. This will cause your battery to age faster and lose their power over time.

Doing my research I was surprised to find that while every once in a while, you should do a full battery discharge, you should NOT do this regularly. On average, you should concentrate on keeping your battery above 20%.

Storage and Care

One thing lithium-ion batteries do not like is extreme temperatures. You should avoid leaving your phone in the hot sun or in a super cold environment. Leaving your devices in an extreme environment does not do the lithium-ion battery any favors.

You should also make sure to use the charger that comes with your device. I know the Apple chargers suck, but the chargers that are optimized for the specific device work best with the batteries. You should also switch off your device once you are done using it.

Takeways:

1. On average, don’t let your charge go below 20%

2. Shallow charges are better than full charges

3. Don’t OVER charge, or push your charging device to 100%

4. Goldilocks method: don’t leave your device in too hot or too cold of environment. Just right.

5. Use the charging cable that came with your device

6. Turn off your device once you are done charging

Follow these tips and you have the best chance of extending the battery life on all of your devices. Preserving your battery can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/the-correct-way-to-charge-your-devices/

[aluratek]

Ways To Use Your Old Smartphone

Photo by Electronic Products

Out with the old, in with the new. Smartphones don’t have the longest lifespan - with users averaging about 2 years for each new phone. And after spending over hundreds of dollars, if not thousands on a new phone (cough, iPhone X), we know it’s not the easiest to let go of. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of your old smartphone.

Alarm Clock

This one’s a given (hopefully). Double up your phone as am alarm clock and set it on your bedside stand. Leave it there while you use your regular phone in bed, and never bother with having to remember to set up your alarm again.

Digital Photo Frame

Okay, even though we have our own digital photo frames available, this makes for a quick and easy digital photo frame setup if you don’t mind the small display. We suggest buying a small gear to prop up your phone and downloading a slideshow app. This is a quick and easy solution for showcasing your memories - especially if you’re looking to show off to your friends and family your recent vacation at the next party.

In-Car GPS

Don’t you hate placing your phone in and out of your car mount every time you need to navigate somewhere? Use your phone as a GPS and download offline GPS apps. But of course, make sure you do this in areas you trust before leaving it there permanently as it may be more prone to break-ins.

Kid-friendly tools

Dedicate your phone to all things kid-friendly with apps that will help them learn and have fun. There are plenty of interactive and educational apps to help your kids exercise their brains in engaging ways. But of course, wi-fi access might be required for some of these apps.

Camera or Video Recorder

Don’t waste too much memory on your main phone on your kid’s soccer game or recital, that’s what your old phone is for. We take so many photos on our normal phone, that it’s kind of nice to have a second source to take photos. We find that bringing these to concerts or the beach are practical ways to use secondary phones, especially if you don’t want sand getting all over your main one!

Baby Monitor

Baby monitors can be super spendy, that’s why using your phone for this will save you plenty! With helpful apps to monitor your baby while you’re in another room, this is a cheap alternative to buying one. However, there are a lot of concerns about security issues since it does use a Wi-Fi network and will be on live stream.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/ways-to-use-your-old-smartphone/

[aluratek]

Taking the Perfect Family Photo

Taking the perfect family photo doesn’t have to be a hassle or expensive. You can take a professional grade photo yourself, even with your iphone!

8 tips to taking the perfect family photo

Pick the best lighting

  Lighting can make or break your photo shoot. If it’s too bright outside, you run the risk of over-exposing your photos. A great time to take photos is right before dusk. Even on a sunny day, the lighting is soft and has a nice warm tint.

Use a tripod

  The best way to ensure that your photos look professional is to make sure the camera is steady. Tripods are a cheap, easy way to make sure that your photos are clear and have a steady hand. They also help when you want everyone in your photo and don’t have anyone to physically take the picture for you.

Stagger the bodies

  Make sure that no one next to each other is at the same height. Bring bodies forward, and backward, so have some depth in the photo. Having too many people at the same height can make the photo look awkward and staged.

Clothing

  You want to color coordinate, but no look so intentional. Don’t tell everyone to show up wearing khaki pants and a blue shirt. Have a theme, but not necessarily color matching shirts. When in doubt, white and black always looks classy.

Capture the personality

  Have fun taking photos! Show some of your family’s unique personality in your pictures. Bring your dog, play a game at the beach, do something other than just smile. Show some emotions. You’ll like your photos a lot more when they show the real side of your family that shows through photographs.

Take a bunch

  The more photos the better. Don’t go into your photo shoot with a time restraint, you’ll want to get as many pictures as possible so you can have the most to choose from.

Editing Software

  If you really want to get fancy you can edit the exposure, brightness and saturation of your photos with some basic editing. There are tons of free tools online and you can even do this with your iphone. One of my favorites is VSCO.com. In the chance that your photos don’t come out as perfect as you’d hoped, you have a fair amount of flexibility with editing software.

Frame your photos

  When all said and done you need to show off your lovely family photos. The best way to showcase all of your amazing photos is a Digital Photo Frame. You can put your photos on a slideshow and have them playing all at once in your living room. This way, you’re not stuck just printing out one photo. It really gives you some leeway, you don’t have to pick just one photo. You can have 2, 3, 4 or even 15 favorites to show off.

Follow these tips and you can take the perfect photo for your christmas card without the hassle or breaking your budget. Taking the perfect family photo doesn't have to be rocket science. Happy picture taking!

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/taking-the-perfect-family-photo/

[aluratek]

Why You Need a Laptop Stand

The thought of sitting at an office for over 7 or more hours might sound not very ideal. Even sitting down and scrunching up over our laptops every day without proper equipment can also painful. In addition to being ergonomic friendly, there’s  a couple of other reasons laptop stands are much needed - whether you’re in the office or at home.

It’s Good For You

We’ll admit - we’re guilty. Leaving our laptops on a table and hovering over while online shopping (or, maybe that’s just us). Health experts recommend being at eye level to your laptop and which will help shoulder and neck muscles from tensing up in the long run. Believe us when we say it’s worth it to invest in a simple laptop stand or standing desk to make your posture better. We love this stand for this exact reason.

It’ll Keep it Cool

Not only are these products great for your posture, but some even have built in fans. When you’re working hours on end on your laptop, it’ll need a cool down. These fans are integrated with these stands are quiet enough to bring anywhere without turning heads.

It’s Portable

Laptop stands are portable and some are fold-able, making it quick and easy to set up. Whether you’re going to a local coffee shop or in your home office, these portable stands can be perfect for wherever your work calls for.

It’s Minimal yet Stylish

Who said something that’s good for you had to be plain and boring. Laptop stands come in different colors and styles, from a minimal feel to a more colorful and bold style. We’re loving this red one that’s sleek and stylish, and even comes with a fan.

from Aluratek Blog https://aluratek.com/blog/why-you-need-a-laptop-stand/