Category: Notes From The City


I recently installed the brand new Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 and was blown away by this ‘premiere’ editing software. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve captured a perfect moment with my family or friends only to have the picture or video turn out grainy, slightly blurry or ruined by the ‘cursed’ red-eye. It has never been easier to make videos look professional with the Adobe Premiere Elements 2020. This is the most efficient video-editing software yet. Videos are more than just moments we want to revisit, they are memories you can transform into creative keepsakes that your family will want to treasure forever! You can highlight memorable moments with with beautiful effects, slideshows, and collages powered by the Adobe Sensei AI technology. You can now easily improve grainy, low light clips with Reduce Noise Effect. This software is extremely intuitive, easy to use and even has helpful tutorials which inspire creativity and help discover fun new features. One of my favorite features is that you can create time lapse-videos and even animate skies in photos with the help of Guided Edits. I had a photo of my nephew and I at the beach on a relatively cloudless day and was able to add an incredibly scenic cloud back drop that really added the “Wow effect”. I even had pictures I considered deleting but once I started playing around with the filters and effects I couldn’t believe the difference it made. I was in awe as I transformed these photos destined for the trash can into treasured memories!

The Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 was very easy to install and gave step by step instructions. Below are some product specs:

Compatible Platform(s): Windows, Mac

Software Format: Physical

Editing Type(s): Color Correction, Effects, Filters, Image Text

Automatic Editing Options: Yes

Software Subject: Video Conversion, Video Editing

Operating System: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, macOS 10.13, macOS 10.15, macOS Mojave 10.14

System Requirements: 2 GHzor faster processor with SSE2 support, 4GB or RAM (8GB recommended); 6.1GB HDD (Win), 8GB HDD (Mac); 1280 x 800 display resolution (at 100% scale factor); DVD-ROM drive; internet connection required for product activation and content download.

 

 

The possibilities are endless with Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 With the holidays approaching, you not only want to capture memorable moments but customize and perfect each photo or video by maximizing its potential and highlighting its’ attributes. Bring together and customize the best scenes based on the style of your video with Smart Trim. Easily make movies in the Quick Edit mode, and put your clips, transitions, text, effects and more with Sceneline. You can also find videos as effortlessly as photos with Adobe Sensei -powered smart tags and automatic people recognition. Create bounce-back and animated GIFs to simply share on social media or upload your creations to YouTube or Vimeo, burn DVD and send them to your HDTV.  I can not emphasize this enough, but ANYBODY can use this software. Even if you’re not very tech-savvy, the tutorials are so thorough, helpful and walk you through step by step. I literally learn a new feature every day, the more you play around with it the better you get. There is no right or wrong, these are your creations. You can do as little or as much as you desire to truly bring a photo or video to life! Check out the video I made with Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 below.

 

 

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

 

Philip’s Norelco S9000 Prestige is Philip’s best shaver, offering the very best in closeness and skin comfort. This shaver offers Philip’s closest shave, with a reduction of redness or swelling. The sharp, durable blades support effortless shaving following the contours of your face and neck, and the coated rings facilitate smooth gliding for a comfortable experience. The NanoTech precision blades are strengthened with thousands of nano particles that cut hair with the highest precision, delivering an extremely close shave at skin level. This means the shaver wont pull or tug on whiskers. Maintain a clean look with this wet and dry Philip’s Norelco electric shaver. With the S9000 you can shave dry or use water, foam or gel for even better gliding with a smoother skin feeling. The BeardAdapt sensor allows you to effortlessly shave off even a dense beard. The BeardAdapt sensor checks hair density 15 times per second and automatically adapts the shaver to your hair. You can even finish your look with the SmartClick precision trimmer. It is ideal for maintaining your mustache and trimming your sideburns. The Philip’s Norelco electric shaver has three settings and an attachable trimmer to maximize styling options.

 

If the precision blades and smooth gliding weren’t enough to impress you, then just take one good look at this sleek design. The Qi charging base allows for wireless charging. The battery can run up to 60 minutes of cordless shaving per full charge. The high-capacity battery also fully charges in as little as one hour.  There is also a battery indicator that shows when it is time to recharge the shaver. The washable design simplifies clean up and features an easy three step cleaning process. Last but not least, it has an excellent skin comfort system that enables you to get a highly efficient shave even on a longer (up to 7-day) beard. Best Buy has exclusivity on this latest shaver from Philip’s Norelco – first of its kind with a Qi charging base! Go check out your local Best Buy today to find great deals on all the latest and greatest electronics and appliances.

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Take your kitchen to the next level with the LG combination double wall oven. With LG’s 1.7 cu. ft. TurboCook Speed Oven (upper oven) you get the hustle of a microwave with the quality you expect from a convection oven. Bake whole chickens, potatoes, pizzas and more- no preheating required. With speeds 2 to 4 times faster than a traditional oven, you’ll have more cooking flexibility and more time to enjoy your meal. LG’s Infrared Heating is technology is a fast and flavorful alternative to outdoor cooking. The 4.7 cu. ft. Convection Oven (lower oven) delivers precise heat for crisp, delicious food. Bake with the greatest of ease with LG’s True Convection oven. Lg’s Convection technology evenly distributes a continual precise heat so food is delicious on the inside, and crisp on the outside. You can also bring one of the healthiest ways to cook to your kitchen with the Steam Cooking feature.

LG Black Stainless Steel Series brings luster to kitchen spaces. It elevates the traditional stainless steel look that has become the standard in today’s homes with a satin-smooth, warm and sophisticated finish unlike any other- for a timeless expression that pairs beautifully with any style or color of surrounding cabinetry. The Black Stainless Steel models have a PrintProof Finish which are beautiful, easy to clean finishes that are fingerprint and smudge resistant. There is also SmoothTouch Glass Controls for easy operating and cleaning. The Pre-Set Cooking Functions allow you to choose from 50 preset functions to take the guesswork out of cooking. And lastly, the WideView Window has the best view in the kitchen! This super-sized window allows you to easily check the progress of a meal no matter where it’s placed in the oven. Save $500 when you buy a select 5-piece LG appliance package. Offer valid 12/6/18 – 3/6/19. Go check out your local Best Buy for this exclusive offer and all the latest and greatest appliances and electronics.

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

 

Bring the movie theater experience home with this 77-inch LG OLED television. Its advanced HDR enhances each scene to 4K quality, and its Intelligent Processor maximizes picture quality by producing images with rich colors, sharpness and depth. Enjoy a premium cinematic, home theater experience with this big screen LG OLED TV. It allows you to truly immerse yourself into movies, tv shows, sports, and gaming. The LG OLED TV with AI ThinQ has Google Assistant built in, so you can control compatible smart home devices using just your voice. Create a center for your smart home and beyond. Plus it works with Amazon Alexa devices. Conveniently control your TV with voice commands to change picture settings (movie mode, game mode, sports mode, etc.) , change volume of tv, search for shows and movies, control compatible connect home devices. Allows for control of TV and connected devices with the power of your voice without disrupting your movie watching experience. This smart TV also always you to launch apps like Netflix, Hulu, and more. All OLED TVs come from LG. The Worlds Number 1 OLED: Movies, sports, games, and more come to thrilling new life with the perfect black and intense color of the LG OLED display. LG OLED TV with AI thinQ uses the latest panels, with brighter, self-illuminating pixels that truly deliver superb picture quality. In fact, all existing OLED TVs come from LG.


 

This LG OLED TV provides amazing picture quality that seems lifelike and real. LG’s most powerful processor, a9 (Alpha9) provides superb picture quality with its award winning intelligent processor. LG’s most powerful processor ever provides true-to-life images with incredibly rich colors, sharpness, and depth to deliver the ultimate picture quality. Each of the 8.3 million individually lit pixels of the LG OLED with AI ThinQ can brighten, dim or power off completely, achieving perfect black and displaying a level of picture detail impossible with any other television. The perfect black canvas and expanded color gamut of the LG OLED TV with AI ThinQ intensify its vast pallet to match that level of color vibrance, recreating cinematic experience as intended by filmmakers. This TV is the perfect center piece and provides jaw dropping visuals sure to amaze your closest friends and family.


 

LG OLED TV with AI ThinQ has a head-turning design that elevates a rooms aesthetics while complementing any home decor. Its sleek, incredibly slim form factor is ready for unobtrusive wall-mounting or tabletop placement. Last but certainly not least is the Cinematic Sound at Home with Dolby Atmos. This sound transports you with moving audio : crickets chirping all around, a monster roaring from behind, or a plane soaring overhead. Dolby Atmos content creates a more detailed sound experience that appears to come from everywhere for a wonderfully realistic, immersive experience that puts you inside the story. Why go to the movie theater when you can have your own movie theater? This 77″ LG OLED brings your favorite movies, tv shows, sporting events, or video games to life so you can experience them the way they were intended to be viewed in stunning 4K clarity. Go check out your local Best Buy to learn more about this amazing television or check it online at Best Buy now. You can also view all the LG OLED TV offers Best Buy has here.

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

 

Head over to select Best Buy locations this Saturday, January 19th from 11am – 3pm for their Open House Event. Visit a participating Best Buy store to discover what’s next in tech with their Blue Shirt experts. Best Buy’s Blue Shirt experts can help you experience the best in major appliances from Samsung, Whirlpool, Cafe’ and GE. You will also discover what’s new in Home Theater, receive free upgrade checks with Best Buy Mobile and see how small appliances can simplify your life. When you think about Best Buy, you think about the latest in technology –  a new laptop, or the best big screen TVs. Did you know they also offer a full range of every major appliance you could need – from your standard washer/dryer to refrigerators and ovens?  Not only will you learn about the latest technology, at Best Buy’s Open House Event you’ll get access to exclusive offers!

  • Get a free $100 Best Buy Gift Card when you buy 2 or more appliances $999 and up. In-store only. Coupon will be given out at the event. You have from Saturday, 1/19 – Monday, 1/21 to redeem.
  • Attend this one-day-only event and enter the Best Buy Open House Sweepstakes for a chance to win a Whirlpool Washer/Dryer Set or Samsung 55″ Smart 4K TV.
  • Be one of the first 75 people to register for a chance to receive a Best Buy gift card of up to $20 in value.

 

Below are all the major markets holding Best Buy’s Open House Events:

-Los Angeles, CA

-San Francisco, CA

– Chicago, IL

-Dallas, TX

-Houston, TX

-Boston, MA

-Philadelphia, PA

-Minneapolis, MN

-Tampa, FL

-Denver, CO

-Seattle, WA

-Portland, OR

 

 

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity and head over to your local participating Best Buy for all the latest and greatest tech. Best Buy offers a wide variety of appliances to suit every budget and style. Design a simple, streamlined kitchen and laundry room. Explore tech-forward and time-saving models. Check out professional appliances that stir up your inner chef. See how these appliances from a wide range of brands can bring your vision to life. If you live in or near one of the market cities listed above, don’t miss out on these exclusive offers at Best Buy’s Open House Event this Saturday, 1/19.

 

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Best Buy’s Total Tech Support is a new yearly membership dedicated to supporting all the tech in your home- no matter where or when you bought it. This membership is extremely convenient to own and has incredible value with many included services. These services include: $49.99 in-home services, 20% off savings and repairs, and protection plans (Geek Squad Protection and AppleCare Products). The service is very easy to use and has 24/7 support connect whether it’s in-store, over the phone, or chat/remote online, so you get support how and when you want it. I was blown away to learn that they were willing to work on old electronics even if they weren’t originally purchased at Best Buy. I had pretty much given up on an old Toshiba laptop before throwing up a Hail Mary to Total Tech Support who was able to transfer all my data to my new laptop.  When it comes to valuable electronics, it’s always better to have peace of mind knowing you have a reliable repair service and trustworthy team dedicated to in-home services and protection plans.

 

I was thrilled to learn about Best Buy’s TotalTechSupport powered by Geek Squad especially when it came to the Smart Home services. I pride myself with having a lot of smart home features that help simplify my day-to-day tasks. I love using my Amazon Alexa to get local weather reports and traffic updates in the morning before I go to work. I also have Philips Hue Smart Lighting, a Nest Thermostat, Ring Video Doorbell, and a couple security cameras mainly used for watching the pets when I’m not home. The Smart Home services include: Wi-Fi setup, voice assistant set up, Wi-Fi camera install, smart lighting setup and customization, smart doorbell install, and smart thermostat install all $49.99 each with Total Tech Support membership.  Before learning about the incredible value of these services, I personally tried to install my new smart thermostat thinking that it would be a piece of cake. When I first took off the old thermostat and saw how many colored wires were connected in a very particular order, I became overwhelmed. It wasn’t super difficult to hook up but lets just say that some things are better left to the professionals. Another one of my favorite features was the computing services. These services include: Basic data transfer & data back up, computer setup, computer tune up, virus removal, and one year of internet security software are all included with Total Tech Support membership. Go check out your local  Best Buy to learn more about TotalTechSupport powered by Geek Squad.

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

 

Have you ever gone to Best Buy and stopped dead in your tracks to stare at a TV with jaw dropping visuals and stunning clarity? This is one of those TVs.  Every pixel is a masterpiece of vivid color, pristine clarity and precise contrast with the all-new VIZIO P-Series 55″ Class 4K HDR Smart TV. With more than a billion colors, superior HDR performance and pin-sharp contrast in each frame, the P-Series also delivers serious smarts: VIZIO SmartCast makes discovering and streaming high-quality 4K HDR incredibly easy. And support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant makes the P-Series a perfect smart-home centerpiece. The all-new VIZIO SmartCast offers unprecedented control and streaming options. Browse favorites like Netflix and YouTube right on the TV. With Chromecast built-in, you can stream thousands of Chromecast-enabled apps from your phone to the TV.

 

 

Expansive colors, superior HDR performance and pristine 4K detail make each frame a jaw-dropping experience. Offering a gorgeous edge-to-edge screen design, VIZIO’s P-Series 4K HDR smart TVs will thrill the most demanding videophiles. Get ready to truly immerse yourself and experience your favorite movies, sports, or video games like never before. I watched Planet Earth which showed a Chameleon and was blown away by how vibrant and vivid the colors were. VIZIO’s Ultra Color Spectrum technology paints with over one billion colors which delivers every hue and tone with impeccable accuracy for a vivid and beautiful picture. And a high-performance Active Full Array Pro backlight with up to 120 local dimming zones produces picture-perfect blacks. Another great feature is the VIZIO WatchFree. You can view over 100 live and internet streaming channels absolutely free- live news, movies, sports, comedy, music and more. No fees, subscriptions or logins. You can own this master piece for only $699.99 after $100 savings (MSRP $799.99) at Best Buy. Offer valid 12/18- 12/24. Go check out your local Best Buy for all the latest and greatest tech toys.

 

 

 

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

As an avid watch enthusiast, I’m thrilled to tell you about the brand new Michael Kors Access Runway Smartwatch. The elegant style of this watch makes it very versatile and compliments any outfit. Fashion meets function with this designer brand: fresh, eye-catching design is perfect for you transitioning from a workout to a night out with ease, and you can customize your dial (watchface). It comes in either a gold-tone or rose gold-tone finish that embodies timeless sophistication, and its smartphone connectivity lets you take selfies, ring your phone, access music and keep track of personal goals. The stainless steel case along with the 18mm stainless steel watch band ensures durability and the round 42mm case of this smartwatch makes it easy to see the interface. The water resistant design defends your smartwatch against submersion in up to 98′ of water. It is compatible with Android and iPhone operating systems and has comprehensive monitoring that tracks distance, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart  rate and steps taken. Vibrate mode quietly alerts you to a range of notifications, such as incoming emails, calls and text messages, as well as upcoming calendar events. Built-in battery offers up to 24 hours of use on a full charge for extended operation. Below are some other key features that highlight what this Michael Kors Smartwatch is capable of:

  • Makes it easier to be healthy with the Google Fit app’s two new activity trackers- Heart Points and Move Minutes- which were designed in partnership with the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization. These evidence-based metrics measure activity intensity, and smarter health coaching makes your fitness goals more achievable by motivating you to stay active throughout your day, every day.
  • Provides proactive help from Google Assistant – from viewing upcoming flight info to dinner reservations.
  • Quick Access to Google Pay– so you can pay with a wave at almost any place that accepts credit cards.

One of my favorite features of this watch has to be the plethora of unique watchface designs. You can customize this watch in so many ways it’s incredible. Some of my personal favorites include the gold city landscape, the rotating, shiny disco ball, but the one that takes the cake is called clockwork. Also known as a skeleton face, you can see the actual gears of the watch turning, which on a normal mechanical watch looks really cool, but the digital version really gave me the ultimate “WOW factor”. Unlike other smartwatches I’ve owned in the past, I feel like I finally found a brand that compliments my style and provides a much more feminine feel. This would make the perfect Christmas gift for your significant other or any loved one you’re looking to spoil. Go check out your local Best Buy to see this amazing Michael Kors Access Runway Smartwatch for yourself and some of the other latest and greatest gadgets sure to wow your loved ones this holiday season!
The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

 

 

 

 

 

Are you ready for a truly unique gaming experience unlike anything you’ve ever experienced?! Starlink: Battle for Atlas is an open-world space saga that features modular toy technology that allows players to assemble and customize real-world physical starships, link their starships to their game controller, and launch into an epic adventure across the Atlas Star System, either in single player or with a friend in two player split-screen local co-op. The starter pack pictured above includes one character (Mason), one starship, three weapon attachments, and the controller attachment. You start by placing the pilot onto the controller attachment platform, you then connect controller to the attachment which easily slides into the micro USB port on your controller, place the pilot into the cockpit of the ship by pressing up which then attaches the actual starship to your controller, then chose which weapon attachments you want to play with by attaching them to the wings of the starship. The toy starship is very light and does not interfere with actual game play.

The game itself is really fun and entertaining. There’s a huge open-world (or open-galaxy) concept with plenty to explore and discover. You are part of an elite starship crew who is trying to rescue their captain and save the galaxy from a powerful threat known as the Legion. Travel to each planet in the solar system to make new allies and form new alliances. This game is full of intense inter-galactic space battles, challenging boss fights against formidable foes known as “Primes”, and a story sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. The graphics are incredible and the game play is really smooth. Another cool feature is that the game will recommend which weapons to use against certain enemies. You have kinetic, vortex, fire, and ice-based weapons which are all inter-changeable during battle. You simply swap out one weapon for another by pulling them off the wing of the ship and adding another, the game will pause and go to the main screen which shows these upgrades come to life in front of your very eyes. This game also allows you to fast travel to planets previously discovered or use hyper drive to speed up the traveling process. I was blown away by not only the new modular toy technology but the gaming experience itself!

I was able to beat the game on the normal setting with just the starter pack but if you really want to beef up your arsenal then I would check out the additional weapons and pilot kit. These additional kits allow you to play as different characters, use any ship, and have a wide array of weaponry.  If you die and only have one ship it respawns you at the nearest planet. However, if you have an additional ship you simply swap ships and start right where you left off ! This is a must have for anyone who considers themselves a gamer and would make the perfect Christmas present for anyone over the age of 10 (who enjoys playing video games). This game is available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Go check out your nearest Best Buy to pick up your Starlink: Battle for Atlas Starter Pack! You can save $25 on Starter Packs and you can save 30% on Starlink toys in stores or online at Best Buy today December 16th through December 22nd.

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

Do you have your flat-screen TV mounted to the wall but want to hide all those ugly cords for a clean, professional look? The Legrand In-Wall TV Power Kit offers convenient access to the back of your TV and lets you connect your television to cable and electricity in seamless style. The In-wall design hides all cabling, including power, HDMI, coax, and Cat 5e behind the wall. It works with any brand TV and is compatible with all TV power plugs including right angles and wall warts. You can also power multiple devices allowing you to hook up a digital TV adapter, cable box, sound bar or streaming media devices such as Apple TV or Roku.  The Legrand In-Wall TV Power Kit gives you plenty of options and supports most TV locations including corners and outside wall mounting. Best of all, it extends power to a wall mount TV without modifying the home’s existing electrical wiring.

This kit includes the following :

(1) Power Output Module with 6 ft pre-wired cord

(1) Power Input Module

(1) Drywall Bracket

(1) 6 ft Power Cord

(1) Cut-Out Template with complete instructions

The installation process was safe and easy. I recently mounted my 60″ flat-screen TV to the wall but this was my first time running wires behind the dry wall. Before you begin installation there’s a couple items you’ll need that aren’t included in the kit. These items include a stud finder (to find the center between two studs where you will cut the two holes), a level. a Phillips head screw driver, and a tool for cutting the dry wall. I would recommend a Dremel multi-saw tool kit because it cut through the dry wall like butter. You will need to cut two holes in the dry wall, one outlet sized hole near the floor and one bigger sized square hole directly behind the TV. Once you find the center between the two studs, you’ll trace the Power Inlet using a pen, level, and mud-ring at outlet level or 18″ from the floor. You need to be sure there is another outlet in close proximity or reaching distance for the power cord. You will then trace the Recessed Box using the level, pen, and instruction card behind intended TV location. The next step is cutting the holes that you just traced and running the cables from top to bottom. To do this, you simply feed power cable through recessed outlet cut hole, out through the mud-ring and using a screwdriver and the two provided screws, secure the molded male plug-end of the power cable to the power inlet assembly. Feed any Cat 5, Coax, or HDMI cables through the brush strap and through the power inlet before securing the power inlet to the mud-ring then attaching the wall plate for a clean, finished look. The last step is powering the power inlet which you do by connecting any other cables to the equipment and supplied power cable to the nearest AC outlet. All in all this was a relatively painless experience. I have no previous installation experience and this project took roughly 45 minutes. Believe me when I tell you, if my husband and I can do this…anybody can! You can pick up your own kit at your local Best Buy store  or at Best Buy online here.

 

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free