Savvy Summer Tech - Teenage Tech Guy's Tips

By: Maxx Hartounian

I am a technology enthusiast who has turned a passion for gaming into road-testing the latest and newest technology of consumer products providing “tech tips” for teenagers and young adults.

If you are interested in tech trends, the newest information on tech products or just general tech tips to increase your knowledge on “connectivity” and smart products, follow my column in Tosa Connection.

APP your SECURITY

Summer hours may be longer but tech security is 24/7. Remember how your mom always said to be sure to lock the door before you leave the house? Well, it is a lot easier if you can “check in” on your house from wherever you are. The latest technology in home safety are cameras tied to the internet and controlled by an app on your smartphone. Whether you are out with friends, on vacation or enjoying dinner in a restaurant, you can can watch your home via the camera that records movement where you set the unit up. Before purchasing any unit, it’s best to research thoroughly to match what your individual needs are pertaining to to the size of your home and smartphone.

Nest Cam Outdoor Security Camera – $199.00

Built-in speaker, webcam and microphone
Adjustable mounting kit
Motion activated with recordable cloud storage
Indoor or outdoor use, waterproof
High resolution, LED display
Two-way audio
Crisp 1080p video

Vimtag VT-361 – $89.95

720P HD resolution
Pan 120° and Tilt 320°
Mic and Speaker for 2-Way Talkback
Night Vision
Remotely Control Pan and Tilt
Motion Detection

Amcrest ProHD 1080P POE – $129.99

Full HD 1080P
90 degree Viewing Angle
Night Vision Up to 32 feet
Remote Pan/Tilt
Two Way Talk
Email Alerts/Snapshots
Mobile and Web Apps

Tech Play

Outdoor drones, underwater drones and frisbees with cameras recording in real time are the newest trend in outdoor play. Yes, teenagers still play! Think about what you can discover in a nature, at heights you can not reach and while swimming or snorkeling in lakes or in the ocean. Tech toys like these are usually found online and in tech related stores or catalogs.

DJI Phantom 4 Professional+ Quadcopter – $1,726.99

Five-directions of obstacle sensing
4-direction of obstacle avoidance
Dual rear vision sensors and infrared sensing systems
Remote controller with built-in screen
Built with sturdy titanium and magnesium alloy

3DR Solo Drone Quadcopter – $268.69

Video game-style controller
Apps for iOS and Android
Stream HD video from GoPro direct to mobile device
Mobile and Web Apps

Holy Stone F181 RC Quadcopter Drone – $109.99

Altitude Hold Function
Range: About 50-100 Meters
Battery Run Time: About 7-9 Minutes
Comes With Two Batteries

The SMART Way to Store Smartphone Photos

Summer travel is about taking memorable photos. To reduce storage space on your smartphone, you can download a simple app to store all your photos in one place.

Google Photos is what I use. Once you sign in, you can transfer all your photos from your phone to the Google servers which are free. You have unlimited storage on google, which allows you to free up space by deleting the photos from your phone. It’s best to always have back up space on your phone just in case you ever need it.

TECH your HOME

I think it is fair to say that teenagers don’t really enjoy doing chores. However, technology has improved how home cleaning allows users to multitask.

The trendiest item in smart home cleaning include a robotic vacuum that roams the house while you can do something else. With WIFI connectivity, you can program the unit and control its actions via an app with your Android or IOS smartphone. In my next column, I will review the newest model and the differences between robotic cleaning and regular vacuum machines.