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Which Virtual Assistant is the Smart Choice?

Virtual Assistants of today are displaying the very early phases of science-fiction virtual assistants like Jarvis. With their help,soon we'll superheroes.

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Which Virtual Assistant is the Smart Choice?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwOxM0-byvc Virtual Assistants, run by AI, are displaying the very early phases of Jarvis. True, they are not to the level of Tony Stark’s trusty assistant Jarvis…yet. The good news is we are closer to realizing virtual assistants that could outperform even Jarvis. Soon everyone may have access to a highly competent and integrated virtual assistant...even if we're not superheroes. For now, we'll have to continue taking care of our living spaces on our own. Sorry. On the upside, there are smart home devices available now for you to install in your home. These require a virtual assistant to run, either by voice or through an app. There will be some work and costs required up front, but with a little planning, you can have your smart home devices running the trivial to minor tasks of your house. This will save you time, and ultimately, some cash. Finding the right virtual assistant to help you can be a difficult choice.

The Best Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants act like a butler or a maid. The main difference is they're automated and available to everyone. No longer do you need to pay a hefty annual salary in exchange for a “gentleman’s gentleman.” Instead, there’s Google Assistant, Apple's Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana, and Amazon’s Alexa. There will be more as the demand for better and better virtual assistants increases. As of this writing, Assistant, Siri, Cortana, and Alexa are the top four available. They may not be of the caliber of Jarvis, yet they do bear striking resemblance to the Marvel Comic’s character, as well as other highly qualified, though fictional, assistants.

Jeeves

Long before Downton Abby, PBS would broadcast the hilarious British comedy Jeeves and Wooster, based on characters created by PG Wodehouse. You may not recognize the names, but you’ll recognize the stars. Hugh Laurie, playing the role of Berty Wooster, is better known for his role as the Vicodin-popping genius of diagnosis-- House. Comedy legend Stephen Fry took on the role of the ever-present, ever helpful- and ever clever- Jeeves. "Clever and helpful" is a good description of Amazon’s Alexa. When paired with the Echo and the Dot, Amazon’s smart speaker system, Alexa excels at answering questions and getting the answer right…most of the time. She can also help with finding directions, providing updates on traffic, and making calls.

Alfred Pennyworth

Bruce Wayne, the troubled but wealthy orphan, always has help from Alfred Pennyworth. Alfred, though played by many actors over the years, is the epitome of jack-of-all-trades servant. Broke down car? Alfred knew how to do that. Computer code needs writing? Alfred knew how to do that. Multiple gunshot wounds that need bandaging? Alfred knew how to do that. For the sake of this post, Michael Caine’s interpretation of the character is the most iconic. While Alfred Gough did step into the role more often, the gritty realism and paternal affection of Caine gave the character depth and elevated him to a serious part of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Saga. Sadly, Jeremy Iron’s talents are wasted on the tiny role of Alfred Pennyworth in the newer incarnation of the Caped Crusader. By setting Michael Caine as the Alfred Pennyworth, Microsoft’s Cortana most closely resembles this famed assistant. Thanks to Microsoft’s heavy involvement in the development of the personal computer, a huge database of information is available to plug Cortana into. The result is a virtual assistant who can answer more questions and answer them correctly.

 Jarvis

Born on the pages of Iron Man, Jarvis was at first a person. For Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, however, Jarvis was turned into a true virtual assistant. Integrating everything Tony Stark needed, Jarvis was every present and ready to help. All Tony had to say was “Jarvis…” and the awesome voice of Paul Bettany would pipe in with “Yes, sir.” Of course, by the second Avengers movie, Paul Bettany finally gets to flex more than his vocal chops and takes on the role of The Vision. Despite this vocational change for the character, Jarvis assisted Tony Stark through all three Iron Man films, even saving his life. Google Assistant is the closest approximation we have today of Jarvis. Scoring better than Alexa and Cortana in answering questions, and answering them correctly, Google Smart Home products are also cheaper than Amazon's.

Janine Melnitz

Played by the stellar Annie Potts, Janine Melnitz was the, ahem, below average secretary to the Ghostbusters. Competent in her work, she really complained more than anything. Annie Potts, because she’s an awesome actress, made the character funny and held her own against Bill Murray, Rick Moranis, Harold Ramis, and Dan Aykroyd. Apple Siri fits this description the best- not very helpful but can joke a lot.

Time to Get to Work

Unlike their fictional counterparts, these assistants are real and will help with tasks when asked. How well they do it is up for debate.

Alexa

Echo has scored well when it comes to responding to voice commands and working with various third-party smart home devices. Couple this with the Dot and Alexa integrates easily into your home. Setting up smart light bulbs, plugs, thermostats, and security devices can give you more influence when running your house. After installation, you can set up groups and routines. Through Alexa, you can turn off all the lights in a certain part of the house, program your thermostat while away, and monitor security. There is set up and costs involved, as well as trial and error. Once you've figured it out, you'll be saving both time and money.

Assistant

Google Assistant is second in this category. The Google products required to make your home a smart home have been rated lower than Amazon’s. On the upside, they are cheaper than Amazon, and Google Assistant has been shown to answer more questions accurately than Alexa.

Siri

Apple Siri, though there are some smart home devices, they are not as diverse as what Google and Amazon offer. And since Siri is pulling a Melnitz, it seems Siri isn’t a good choice as an assistant for your smart home.

Cortana

Microsoft Cortana, though brilliant, has no smart home devices it can integrate with. Cortana is going to be sticking with the computer for the foreseeable future.

“Is that all, sir?”

No matter your choice when it comes to picking a virtual assistant, remember that we are still very far away from our own Jarvis, Alfred, and Jeeves. There may already be a Melnitz out there though. Another downside is that we’re still stuck with the task of taking out the garbage, changing the laundry, and cleaning the dishes. Unless we hit the lottery, these are still the everyday chores we’re tasked with. Without Jeeves, Jarvis, Alfred, and even Melnitz, taking care of chores can be a superhero task.
Virtual assistants are nothing without the internet. Connect to the best Spectrum deals in San Antonio, TX.

4 Ways to Keep Rising Prices from Burning Up Your Wallet

Since a few streaming services have decided to raise their rates, this also creates optimal fire conditions in your wallet.

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4 Ways to Keep Rising Prices from Burning Up Your Wallet
With summer in full swing, temperatures rise. It’s not uncommon to see forest fires in more rural parts of the country. As the heat and the dry winds cause perfect conditions for fires to start. Since a few streaming services have decided to raise their rates, this also creates optimal fire conditions in your wallet.

Temperature Rising

Within the last week Playstation VUE, DirecTV have announced a price increase of at least $5 to their streaming services. It doesn’t help that Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Netflix have also announced price hikes in the last six months.

It’s not all bad

Despite no clear explanation for the price increase, Playstation VUE and DirecTV are still going to deliver the same great shows and live TV they always have…just at a little bit more of a price tag. These streaming services provide cable channels without the actual cables, which is a definite plus for some people. For example, FIFA’s World Cup is garnering lots of attention, even though it's already half-over. Since it’s being held in Russia, which is on the other side of the globe, being able to stream games live is a necessity. Come August we’ll see this happen again when the NFL kicks into high gear with their 2018-2019 season.

Fire Risk

With so many streaming options available, there’s a significant portion of the population with more than one streaming membership. Now, what may be just a $5 increase for one streaming service, is becoming a $10, $15 increase per month. Some people are faced with the choice of deciding whether that price tag is worth premium access, even if it is for the World Cup and the NFL.

Rising Prices

Prices go up, that’s one thing we can all rely on with certainty. Therefore, there are those who will simply pay the increase and find ways to cut costs somewhere else in their budgets. Then there will be those who decide it’s not worth the extra five, ten, fifteen dollars a month to have multiple streaming services. Yet, the decision will be difficult as to which streaming service to cut and why. Take heart, as there are other options.

Reduce Your Internet Bill

To keep your streaming services, you can find ways to reduce your internet bill, thus absorbing the cost of the price increase that way. Before you dial the customer service line, realize that this isn’t a life and death negotiation. It’s just business. The customer service rep on the other end of the line won’t take it personally that you’re trying to reduce your bill. They will still get paid at the end of the day. Come into it as though you’re simply talking dollars and sense. Knowing this you can confidently dial the customer service line for your ISP. Start by giving them your cancellation date. This lets them know you’re serious. Once you have their attention, request a lower rate, possibly the introductory rate. If they can’t give you the introductory rate, don’t settle for “the next best thing.” Set a price and stick to it. If they won’t play ball with you, then hang up. It’s as simple as that. If they still want your business, then you’ll be getting a call back from a retention specialist. It’s this person’s job to keep you as a customer for the company. When they’re calling you, you’re the one calling the shots. From there you can set the tone of the conversation and demand a lower rate. If they’re still not going to budge on their price, let them know you’ve already set your cancellation date. If the retention specialist is wise, this person will at least entertain the idea of a lower rate. When this happens, you can even offer to buy the modem and router your ISP provided to bargain for a lower price. This way you’re no longer paying the monthly rental fee!

Skimpy Bundles

If negotiation isn’t your thing, then you can cancel your streaming services and go with a Skimpy Bundle. The trade-off with a skimpy bundle service is a sacrifice of access to unlimited content in exchange for a select number of channels for a cheaper price. You’ll still get a good picture and ad-free content but on a smaller scale.

AT&Ts Watch TV

AT&T’s cheapest live TV streaming service, Watch TV comes in at $15 a month. With this, you can stream 31 channels to your smartphone, tablet, or set-top box, but only one at a time.

Philo

Backed by cable TV content providers, Philo offers a base package of 37 channels that includes a lot of the big-name channels. You can also stream on multiple devices at the same time. There are other packages that offer more channels, but of course, they’ll cost more. The base package only costs $16 a month. Unfortunately, there are no sports channels offered.

Fubo TV

Fubo TV does have a nice introductory package of 70+ channels that includes a healthy sampling of sports channels! After a seven-day free trial, your first month will be $19.99. The drawback is after that first month, the price goes up to the normal amount of $44.99. This would be a great way to enjoy your sports for a short time then cancel once the season ends.

Extinguish the Fire

With these suggestions in mind, you don’t have to let the streaming services dictate how much you’ll be paying. There are ways around the higher prices. All it takes is a little research, a little time, and you’ll find the right viewing options for you at the right price. This will keep the money in your wallet from burning up this summer!
To ensure the best streaming experience, find the best deals on Spectrum internet bundles

Speed Test From your favorite providers including WOW, Rise Broadband, Spectrum and more.

Internet speed tests are useful tools for gauging how much bandwidth is available to you. You can choose your Internet speed testing website based on several factors. Here are some of the top sites for you to gauge your internet providers speeds including AT&T High Speed Internet Speed Test CenturyLink Broadband Speed Test Cox Internet Speed Test Fios Speed Test (Verizon) Rise Broadband Speed Test Spectrum Speed Test (Charter) WOW! Speed Test XFINITY Speed Test (Comcast) Cox Internet Speed Test

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Speed Test From your favorite providers including WOW, Rise Broadband, Spectrum and more.



Nobody wants to live life in the slow lane.  As a civilization, we are hellbent on going faster, whether that’s when we are stuck in morning traffic on our way to work or standing in line at the grocery checkout; we crave more speed.  Nowhere is our need for speed more appropriate than with our Internet connections.  I know you remember those old stone age days of dial-up.  Recall your frustration at watching badly pixelated photos load line by line at a snail’s pace.  We’ve come a long way, but there’s always room for improvement (unless, of course, you’re one of the researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany who was able to reach broadband speeds of about 26 terabits per second – fast enough to transfer a file from a 3 TB hard drive in less than a second!)  Internet speed tests are useful tools for gauging how much bandwidth is available to you.

Why You Should Use Internet Speed Tests

There are quite a few resources out there for you to conduct your own speed test.  Think of Internet speed tests as a kind of taser to keep you ISP in check.  Troubleshoot your connection.  Conduct the test, and then, compare your results with the plan your purchased.  If there is a considerable discrepancy (bear in mind that these numbers fluctuate to a degree), you can call up your ISP and get answers as to why you are not getting your money’s worth.  Get answers.  Maybe your ISP is throttling your Internet.  Screw that.  Get on it.

ISP-Specific Internet Speed Tests

When approaching your ISP about slow connection speeds, it usually easier to make your case by citing their own provided speed test results.  Imagine the conversation going something like this:
You: My Internet is going slow Them: What makes you think that? You:  I conducted a speed test. Them:  Well, which speed test did you use? You:  Your own.  The one on your site.  Now kindly fix the issue before I take my money elsewhere!
Well, maybe not exactly like that, but you get the general idea.  My friendly advice is to first try using and citing the ISP-specific speed tests.  Below are some of the top ISP provider test websites.  If you can’t find yours on the list, a simple Google search should bring it up.  You can also call your ISP and get the link.

Independent Internet Speed Tests

There are some providers, like Sprint, who don’t host Internet speed tests for their service.  If that’s the case with your provider, you may need to use an independent speed test site.  Netflix launched its own service-specific speed test back in 2016.  Simply go to Fast.com to calculate your download speeds in megabits per second (Mbps).  If you think about it, it makes total sense for Netflix to offer this service – many people check their Internet speed to make sure they can stream movies and shows.

Speedtest.net

It’s the most well-known speed test.  This test site utilizes test locations all over the world to give you fast and accurate results.  It also calculates the nearest testing server based on your IP address. 


SpeedOf.Me

This is a handy tool.  The site uses over 80 servers around the globe and the test is run from the fastest one at any given time.  Plus, it’s an HTML5 speed test, which means you can run it on your iPhone, iPad, Android, and other devices without Flash or Java. 


TestMy.net

Another good one that uses HTML5.  The website touts that “TestMy.net gets smarter the more you use it and makes adjustments specific to your computer for a high level of accuracy. This speed test will download randomly generated data to your browser, calculate your download speed and log your speed test results. TMN ensures your Internet connection is tested thoroughly with large download tests up to 200 MB.”  Pretty nifty.


Bandwidth Place

 It’s really simple to use.  With a single click you can get your test results in a simple, easy-to-read format.   The site also uses HTML5 and works on desktop and mobile devices.  The only downside I can see is that the site doesn’t use nearly as many testing servers as other sites.

Final Thoughts

You can choose your Internet speed testing website based on several factors.  First, you’ll want to use the ISP-specific test sites if you are using the test to make a case to your ISP.  Those test sites carry the most authority with the ISPs.  If you are looking to test your speed for other reasons, you can choose the site based on accuracy and number of servers used and layout and design preferences. (If you feel you are getting shortchanged by your ISP when it comes to download speed and are interested in finding alternative providers and the best Internet deals, call one of our agents to get info on saving money and improving service.)

Top Cable TV Apps and Reviews

As a busy person,you don’t always have time to sit on the couch and watch shows. You need a portable option that you can take anywhere—luckily,most of the

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Top Cable TV Apps and Reviews

Updated 02/17/2020

As a busy person, you don't always have time to sit on the couch and watch shows. You need a portable option that you can take anywhere—luckily, most of the major providers now offer TV apps. If you primarily plan to watch cable through an app, you should closely review the apps before you make your choice. In some cases, you may want to skip a traditional cable subscription and just get an app.

AT&T U-Verse Live TV

After being a phone company for generations, AT&T has now emerged as the country's biggest internet provider, and it's dabbling in the world of TV with an app. You don't have to be an AT&T customer to buy the app. Instead, anyone can sign up-- there's just a monthly subscription fee. The app works on Windows computers via iTunes, but it also works on iphones and androids. You get the typical line up of ESPN, Fox Sports, Comedy Central, and other popular options.

DirecTV App

If you are a DirecTV subscriber, you have free access to the DirecTV app. It works on androids, iphones, and even Kindles as well as on most computers. The app allows you to watch live TV, but generally, you can't pick up the local channels through that feature. You can also access a huge range of on-demand shows including HBO, Showtime, and any other premium channels you subscribe to. The app works perfectly in most cases, but for some reason, DirectV struggles with updates. It seems to take a while to get out the bugs anytime the company updates its app.

Charter TV

To use the Charter TV app, you have to subscribe to the company's cable service. The app works on iphones, androids, and kindles, and it gives you access to live TV from 150 channels. Heading out camping? Going on a long road trip in an area without service? That's one of the best benefits of the Spectrum TV app--you can download shows and movies to watch offline.

DirecTV's Sunday Ticket App

Sports is one of the best things on TV, and it's the reason many people still subscribe to cable. It's almost impossible to get sports anywhere else. DirecTV subscribers can watch their favorite NFL games from anywhere with the Sunday Ticket app. The app works on most of the major platforms, but you have to subscribe to the Sunday Ticket to get access. This is an add-on subscription, but DirecTV often offers deals for new customers. With the app, you can catch games, check out highlights and even track your fantasy football league players.

HBO

In addition to apps that give you access to your cable package remotely, there are all kinds of apps that are just devoted to one channel. There's a Comedy Central app, a Disney channel app, an ESPN app, and all kinds of similar ones. However, with most of these apps, you have to be a cable subscriber. With HBO, it's a bit different. If you have cable and an HBO subscription, you can use the HBO Go app for free. If you want to watch HBO but you don't have a cable subscription, no problem. You can get a standalone subscription and watch it through the HBO Now app. Apps are changing how we watch TV, and they are a cost effective way to keep up with your favorite shows on the go. In many cases, you can get apps free with your cable service. In other cases (such as with HBO Now), you can test out the app with a free trial before you pay.

Facebook Status Update

It's time to hold great TV in your hand. It's time for the convenience of cable on your computer. Want to take entertainment on the go? Check out our review of the best cable TV apps.

What Is DSL internet? What are my internet options?

DSL internet is a digital subscriber line,and it allows you to access the internet over your phone lines. Along with cable,satellite,and ... Read More

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What Is DSL internet? What are my internet options?

Update February 10, 2020   02/10/2020:  

Since we published this article several years ago not much has changed.  DSL internet is still available and unfortunately the only option for many Americans who are simply looking for high speed internet for their homes. Companies like AT&T, CenturyLink and Earthlink still offer DSL service.  Many customers are stranded looking for options to be able to stream their favorite shows from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon amongst other sources.  Since the latest speed test done across the country show that DSL only has the ability to operate at a speed of 1Mbps or less, DSL is simply not an option for today's internet user.  

There is good news for folks who are either moving to a new area looking to set up service and find DSL is one of the only options or existing DSL customer from AT&T, CenturyLink and Earthlink who are simply not getting the speed, and service they are looking for.  Viasat Satellite internet service and HughesNet satellite internet service offer speeds almost 25x higher and give many customers a truly high speed internet option.  Check out to see if you have better options in your area by using our zip code lookup tool here Zip Code Lookup Tool



DSL internet is a digital subscriber line, and it allows you to access the internet over your phone lines. Along with cable, satellite, and fiber optics, DSL is one of the four main types of connections used by internet service providers.

How Does DSL Internet Work?

Traditional phones lines are made of copper wires that carry analog signals. When you talk on a landline phone, the acoustics of your conversation are converted into analog signals that run along the phone wires. Similarly, these wires can also carry analog signals from computer to computer. However, you need a modem to convert the analog signals into digital signals. Finally, subscriber line simply refers to the fact that you subscribe or pay a monthly fee to access the line.

Can You Use the Phone With DSL?

In the early days of internet popularity, dial-up service also used phone lines to carry the internet into your home. With these old systems, however, you could not use the phone at the same time as the internet. With DSL, that has changed. The signal is split coming into your home, allowing you to access the internet and use your landline at the same time.

How Fast Is DSL Internet?

The telephone companies that offer DLS internet use digital subscriber line access multiplexers -- imagine a small building full of constantly buzzing equipment and servers. These multiplexers connect to a network to access data, and from there, the data is forwarded to individual subscribers. In most cases, to get DSL internet, you must be within a certain distance of the multiplexer, and generally, the closer you are the faster your internet service is. DSL speeds range from 128 kbps to 12 Mbps. However, in some cases, you can get DSL speeds up to 20 Mbps or even 40 Mbps — those speeds are typically only available in areas where the existing phone lines have been reinforced or bolstered with fiber optics.

Can You Bundle DSL Internet?

Generally, phone companies offer DSL. For example, AT&T, CenturyLink, Verizon, and Frontier Communications all offer DSL internet as well as phone service. In most cases, if you want to have DSL and a landline, you have to get both services from the same company. However, discounts for booking multiple services is standard practice in the industry. Some DSL providers also pair with television, cell phone companies, and others to offer bundling discounts.

Where Is DSL Available?

DSL service is available around the county. However, it is not strictly available everywhere that has phone lines. As indicated above, the service can only work in areas where the phone company has invested in digital subscriber line access multiplexers and upgrading the phone lines as necessary. If DSL is offered in your area, you may want to consider it. Compare the price with other options, and then, make sure the potential internet speeds are up to your needs. For more on internet speeds, check out our post "What Internet Speed Do You Need?".