Author: Mario Armstrong

I answer your questions on the Today Show!

by Mario Armstrong

On Wednesday, February 20th, I answered YOUR tech questions LIVE on the TODAY Show! In case you missed the segment, you can check out the video above, or my more detailed answered below!

Have a question you’d like me to answer on live TV in front of millions of people? Click here to submit your questions to me!

Question #1 – What Is The Easiest Way To Stream Content On My TV? (Daniel – NYC)

Answer:

Viewing content form the web on your TV really opens up a whole new world of viewing options. If you don’t already have a smart TV, there are a lot of options. You can use different devices like Apple TV, a Roku box, most blu-ray players, your computer, or even gaming systems like the Xbox 360 or Nintendo’s Wii U. The question is what is the right option for you. Id suggest if you are an Apple household and have a lot of content on your apple devices you would really like the Apple TV option because it can also do some neat features beyond streaming like mirroring whats on your Mac, iPhone or iPad wirelessly on your tv. Imagine showing family photos or video from your iPad to your TV without wires. Read More

How to Prepare for Smartphone Theft (TODAY)

by Mario Armstrong

With smartphones everywhere and fetching high prices on the street, unfortunately smartphone theft is becoming more popular than ever before. But you have a lot more to worry about than someone selling your phone since you probably store a lot of sensitive info on your smartphone including financial information, credit card or social security numbers, private email correspondence, photos and more. Additionally, many social media apps like Twitter and Facebook don’t prompt for a password every time they launch so a thief could easily gain access to your social accounts and spam your network or use that information to get more details about you. Think about your email access as well, and what someone could do with access to your full list of contacts and your email archive.

Your first line of defense is to set a passcode on your device. I consider this advice non-negotiable. If you own a smartphone, you have to set a passcode, no questions asked. Yes, I know it can be a little annoying, but without a passcode a thief can access your full phone the second they steal it. Read More

Are People Taking a Break from Facebook? (CNN VIDEO)

by Mario Armstrong

I appeared on CNN’s Reliable Sources this morning with Howard Kurtz to take a look at Facebook. It turns out the social network may be losing some of its shine.

Take a look at these stats from a recent Pew Internet survey:

– 61% of Facebook users have taken a break from the service at some point in the past
– 20% of adults have permanently left Facebook

Sarah Lacy, founder and editor-in-chief of PandoDaily.com and I discussed Facebook’s mobile app, why people need to take vacations from its service, and more.

Like this video? You should follow me on twitter here.

How to Get Everything Cheaper

by Mario Armstrong

The are tons of different ways to use tech to save money on EVERYTHING. Making sure you have the right apps on your phone and knowing which websites to check can mean the difference between paying full price and getting a discount.

Check my top recommendations for site and apps to help you save money below:

Rent The Runway–

For the fashionista on a budget! This is a great website where women can rent high-end dresses and accessories at a fraction of what it would cost to buy it.

http://www.renttherunway.com/

Red Laser-

A free app that transforms your phone into a barcode scanner.  Helps you to comparison shop both in store and online—you can even purchase right from your phone when you find the best deal!

http://redlaser.com/

Fare Compare-

A wonderful travel comparison website that lets you plug in the dates you want to travel, and it will comparison shop between the online travel sites like Orbitz, Priceline, TripAdvisor, etc, to find the best deals out of all of them in one place. Saves you money AND time! Read More

BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins Says New BlackBerry Has Enough Bling to Get People Back

by Mario Armstrong

BlackBerry (the company) is out trying to do some major PR for their new phones, the BlackBerry Z10 and Q10. Part of the PR blitz is them trying to answer questions about what the heck happened – they were cutting edge phones everybody had to have for years, but now they’re an totally an afterthought to the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.

In the clip below from the TODAY Show, CEO Thorsten Heins tries to explain to Savannah and Matt what happened to the company. He explains it by saying they stayed “static,” and didn’t adapt and change for consumers, even as new competitors were coming up. Plus he claims the new phones will have enough bling (yes he uses the word bling!) to make people interested again, and uses Alicia Keys getting on board as example. Though of course that’s a paying gig for her :)

Take a look at the video, what do you think? Are you interested? Just the fact that they’re offering a keyboard on one phone (the BlackBerry Q10) is enough to make it at least a little interesting! We’ll be doing testing in the next couple of weeks – let me know what Qs YOU wanted answered in the comments!

CNN: The Second Screen Bowl

by Mario Armstrong

Some websites I mentioned on air where you can show your support for your favorite team:

– likebowl.com – “like” your team on Facebook and they move closer to the goal line!

– vinebowl.com – share 6 second videos to show support for your team!

Stream the big game live on your Computer or Phone using:

– CBS Sports

Pick your favorite Coca-Cola commercial ending!

– CokeChase.com

Download this app during the game to id which commercial it is to get coupons and special offers:

– Shazam App

How Lowes is Making Home Automation Affordable

by Mario Armstrong

We’ve talked about Iris, the home automation system from Lowes, before on the site but at CES 2013 Lowes was showing off tons of new home automation tech and also how they’re keeping it affordable.

You can plug their Smart Hub into your existing Internet connection at home and then start connecting sensors that talk to the hub to quickly and easily begin automating your home. One I really like are the Iris smart plugs that can turn off and on any outlet in your house through an app on your phone. Lowes makes tons of other sensors as well, including motion sensors and even smart smoke detectors!

Some cool new additions to the system I saw at CES included a water detector. If you’re worried about flooding in your basement, an aging furnace that you just don’t have the funds to replace, or any other areas of the home that could be prone to water damage you can set up a water detector to automatically get an alert or warning if water is detected. Not only will the Smart Hub warn you with a voice alert, but you can get a text message and an email as well to make sure you’re alerted to any potential problem as quickly as possible.

These are only just a few of the ways your can use the Iris system from Lowes to automate your home. For more ideas and to learn more about the system, be sure to watch the video above.

Get a great deal on a new TV for the Super Bowl!

by Mario Armstrong

sony LED EX645 TV
Sony TV: Just Add Ravens!

With my beloved Baltimore Ravens about to smash their way back into the Super Bowl this weekend, I’m making sure that my at-home Super Bowl experience is going to be nothing short of amazing! But that doesn’t mean simply heading out and blowing a bunch of money on a new TV. Instead, this year I’m taking a look at a few models that are ON SALE this weekend. I’ve also got some tips for TV shopping, mounting a TV to a wall, and more to make sure your viewing experience this weekend will be PERFECT!

And don’t forget—Ravens fans in Baltimore can join me LIVE on the TODAY show and display their support by joining me from 6am-9am at the Inner Harbor Amphitheatre this Friday, February 1st!

MARIO ARMSTRONG’S TIPS FOR BUYING A NEW TV: Read More

Join me LIVE on the TODAY Show in Baltimore this Friday!

by Mario Armstrong
Wearing purple on last week’s show was just the beginning…

Attention All Baltimore Ravens Fans!

I need you to join me and show your support LIVE on a special segment of the TODAY show this Friday!

The TODAY show is coming to Baltimore & to San Francisco this Friday as part of a very special Super Bowl segment. Natalie Morales will be hanging with yours truly at a LIVE Ravens rally here in Baltimore, while Al Roker will be hosting a rally in SF. This will all air live on Friday morning. I NEED Baltimore Ravens fans to show up big time – we have to have more than San Fran!!!

I’ll be there to do a segment about apps and tech that will impact the Super Bowl and your viewing experience this year. YOU need to show up in your Ravens gear and be prepared to show America that Baltimore means business!

The TODAY show goes live in Baltimore at 7am although I will be there at 6am ready to show my support! Will you be able to join me and show the rest of country what Baltimore is made of?

JOIN ME FOR A LIVE TODAY SHOW TAPING IN BALTIMORE!

6am-9am, Friday, February 1st
Baltimore Inner Harbor Amphitheater
Wear Baltimore Ravens gear and cheer for your home team!
Don’t forget your SIGNS: make and bring your best Ravens signs!