Google officially introduced their new Chromecast with Google TV today in an event in Palo Alto and there's some amazing surprise features we didn't know about!  While we've previously leaked most of the details of the new device we now have the official price at $49.99 and you can buy it at BestBuy at the link below.  As previously reported the new Cromecast comes with a voice remote control so you can search for your favorite programming without having to hunt and peck on the screen keyboard.  The new Android TV based interface is a dream to use and lets you search for any title across any app it is available on.  It'll even prompt you to download an app you don't already have to get a title.

Now for the surprise.  Apparently the new Chromecast with Google TV includes DVR features that you can schedule and activate right from your phone.  You'll be able to schedule the recording of programs on your tv back home and then watch them...pre-recorded when you return home waiting for you.  How cool is that!  We're super excited to get our hands on one to test out.   The New Chromecast is available in three different colors, snow (white), sky (blue) and sunrise (pink) as well.  We've put a link below to purchase at BestBuy.  We can't wait to check this out.

Any subjects you guys think would make a popular forum?  I recently started one for cryptocurrencies at http://cryptocoinfans.com but am open to starting up others if you think there's potential for lots of users.  Let me know...i'm open to suggestions.

BFM.

Up until a few months ago, like a lot of people I'd heard of 'Bitcoin' and 'cryptocurrency' but frankly while it seemed mildly interesting, I didn't feel any overwhelming urge to figure out how to get some or use it.  It sounded like a less secure, new fangled, roundabout way of paying for things 'electronically' and since so few places accept them for payment vs. the dollar...I didn't see the point. Why bother, right?

Wrong. Boy was I wrong. Because what I didn't understand...and most of you reading this probably don't either...is that many of these new 'cryptocurrencies' that we see in the news are not 'currencies' at all...they are actually a new technology utilizing a structure called the blockchain that are creating the next version of the internet, an internet 3.0 right now...and the vast majority of people have no idea this is going on.  How is that you ask?  Because many of these digital 'coins' are actually more like programming languages that let you build decentralized applications.  What the heck is that you ask?  Let me explain.

Let's say you want to buy a product off of Ebay, or Amazon like a pair of shoes.  Or perhaps you want to rent a room for a weekend through Airbnb, or get a car ride to the airport through Uber.  All of these businesses utilize a middleman that you have to pay a fee to for their service.  Think about it. You buy something from Ebay or Amazon and they take their little cut out of the seller's gross.  You book a room through airbnb or a car from uber and again...they take a little cut out of the seller's piece or charge a fee to the buyer...either way there's a middleman.

But what if you could get rid of the middle man?  What if there was some kind of company that did each of these things...sold goods..rented homes...drove you around....and there was no middle man?   What if transactions were peer to peer...you to the seller direct...without the middle man's fee?  Well that is exactly what the blockchain allows programmers to do.  Create decentralized applications, businesses, markets, etc.  It does this by utilizing the blockchain as a way of keeping everyone honest.  How?  Well, this video does a nice job of explaining it. 


But the important thing to realize is that what we are looking at here is basically the dawn of a brand new internet.  Just like in 1992-94 nobody could have predicted that Amazon or Uber or Facebook or Google could become the behemoths we see today.  Twenty years from now people are going to look back and say the same thing about decentralized, blockchain based companies that will be just as big...or bigger.

It's very likely we'll have decentralized search engines without advertising, we'll have decentralized selling with brand new 'amazons' or 'ebays'. We'll have decentralized banking without the bank taking fees and we'll have virtually every kind of business you can imagine from insurance to education to manufacturing to distribution and it will be done through decentralized applications and companies that basically 'live' on the internet and don't require a middle man taking a fee.

Once you understand this concept the next thing to understand is that the cryptocurrencies that we see today...and the new ones being introduced...are all representative of different kinds of decentralized  businesses and these digital 'coins' are being used to fund the development of these businesses. Now there are some like Bitcoin and Litecoin that are still just digital money.   But others like Ethereum, Golem, Stratis, EOS, Factom and others each represent a new type of decentralized company or platform that are part of this new internet 3.0.  And in order to use any of these companies or platforms you'll have to know how to use these new 'digital currencies'.

Some of these new kinds of decentralized companies are already in operation.  For instance http://steemit.com is a hybrid of reddit and facebook where you use Steem coins as a way of rewarding content.  Instead of Zuckerberg and staff at FB choosing what to show you...it's more democratic and the use of Steem coin rewards content makers.

So how do I begin getting into this world?  What's the first baby step I can take? Open a Coinbase account.   

Coinbase is the oldest and most reliable and safe of the online wallets to start buying your first digital 'coins' with.  You can buy a bit of Bitcoin or Ethereum or Litecoin...the three coins they currently support...and begin to learn how to use them.   For example, you can purchase some 'Steem' at Steemit.com by opening an account there and sending some Bitcoin to yourself from Coinbase to Steemit.  Then you'll convert that Bitcoin to Steem to use.

As you become more comfortable with these currencies you might want to open a trading account on a site like Poloniex...which just like a stockmarket trading site allows you to buy, sell or just watch all kinds of digital coins and see their values fluctuate just like a stock.

But frankly the very first step you should take, just so you can get started and start to explore is to open a Coinbase account.

Right now Coinbase has a promotion where they're offering $10 in free Bitcoin to you* if you open an account with just $100, which is exactly what I did to start.  Then you can start playing with it. 

Want to learn even more and become a cryptocurrency expert?  Start reading sites like Cointelegraph.com and Coindesk.com and TheMerkle.com to learn more about all these new currencies and what they do. 

Look, I know it seems intimidating at first.  But trust me, this is not just the future of money, it's the future of the internet being built right in front of our eyes.  This is an amazing opportunity.  Don't miss out like you did the last time.  Just think how many times you've told yourself 'if i had just invested in Facebook or Netflix or Amazon back in 199x...well this is your next chance...because the next version of the internet...the decentralized internet is happening right now, today.  Open your Coinbase account and take your first step into that world today.  You'll thank me later.





*I'll also get a referral bonus but you get your $10 in free Bitcoin and it's the place I recommend to start on your journey to learn about this brand new internet 3.0

Now that the holidays are here, many major retailers are holding their annual'After Holidays', 'End Of Year' and 'New Year's' deals and specials for online shoppers for anything related to technology and for non-tech categories as well such as household items, clothes and more.  These are some of the deepest discounts and sales of the year as stores try to clear inventory before Dec 31st.  This is a great chance get great deals on all sorts of gifts and items you've been putting off to buy, just waiting for those 'best of' sales and discounts.  We've included links below to some of the most well-known large online sale participants so use these links to check out the great deals and enjoy saving some cash!. 









https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NSQNOG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KYS2UA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AEJRVVI/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1ZS2PI7P6L4JH

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IW9U2TY/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A22LWEMCXESXCG

Rumors are about that Google may be retiring the 'Nexus' brand and instead introduce new phones and tablets under the 'Google Pixel' label.  While two 'Pixel' phones have been rumored for a long time just recently we started to hear about this Nexus 7 update which presumably would be called the Pixel 7 or perhaps the Pixel 7P.   This new tablet is expected to be made by Huawai, the same manufacturer who brought us the Nexus 6P.  Interestingly, the company recently applied for a copyright on the name Nexus 7P, but seeing as how Google has decided to go with the 'Pixel' branding for the new Nexus phones, many are assuming that they will do the same with their tablets, hence Pixel 7P seems a safe bet as the name of the device.  Specs being bandied about include a 7 inch 2560x1440 resolution display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor w/Adreno 530 graphics processing unit, 64GB built-in storage, 4GB of RAM and a 13 MP rear camera.  It is expected to be introduced on October 4th during Google's event in San Francisco and would be the first tablet to run their latest version of the Android operating system code-named 'Nougat'.  So what do you think?  Is this a worthy upgrade that would merit your bucks   Let us know in the comments.


source

Thanks for posting.  Yes, and two new Google 'Pixel' phones and a 4k Chromecast are all expected...probably at the October 4th Google event.

Just added a capital letter 'C' to the tabs of your browser when you have Nexus 7 Forum open.  The 'C' stands for Community and this way if you have a series of tabs open instead of wondering what that empty page symbol tab is you'll know you have one of our Communities open.

Ever feel like going on adventure and wish there was a resource that could instantly tell you all the cool stuff around you to do?  Well that's what Local Guru does.  It's an amazing new app...really more than an app...a great resource...that let's you instantly see what cool adventures, activities and interests are close by and hooks you up with a 'guru' to lead you on your adventure or activity.  Using your location you can see a list of adventures led by a local expert or 'guru'.  Perhaps you want to take a hike, or learn to surf or go horseback riding or a mountain biking adventure.  It's a great tool to explore wherever you are and geared to the outdoors adventurer in us all.  Even better, it lets you filter for price and proximity to your location.  You also can click on the map to any location and do a search in that area to see what is available in other areas.  Just think of the possibilities of planning a trip or vacation and being able to tap the location on the map and book a cool adventure where you're going to be. 

Now the founder of 'Local Guru' is a great guy named Joseph I had the pleasure of meeting recently in Santa Monica.  Joseph and his team put a lot of effort into procuring only quality adventures and activities led by knowledgeable experts in whatever the adventure is.  The app is constantly being improved and refined and new features are being introduced all the time to ensure that the adventures you go on are of the highest quality.  Give 'Local Guru' a try and if you have any ideas to make it even more useful feel free to send them a note.  Make sure any local experts and 'gurus' you know sign up to offer their activities through Local Guru's app and help spread the word and make Local Guru the national sensation it deserves to be.  Grab the free app at the link below.


You can also learn more about the Local Guru app at their website: www.localguruapp.com