Amazon Will Stream the Super Bowl for Free

Watch the "Big Game" for Free on your Fire TV

No "Cable Provider" Log-In Required!

Are you a cord-cutter?  Do you want to watch "The Big Game," and are concerned about reception?  Were you thinking you'd need to go out to watch the game, when you'd much rather party at home? Well, you are in luck if you are a Fire TV owner.  Amazon has announced that they will be streaming "The Big Game" live on February 4, 2018.  Even better? All you need to do is say "Alexa,  play the Big Game" to queue up the Super Bowl.

Streaming coverage will begin at noon, EST.  All the pre-game coverage will be streamed for free, as well as the Half Time Show and all of the commercials.  Streaming is free for ALL Fire TV users, regardless of Prime membership status.

You will need to download either the NFL app for Fire TV or the NBC Sports App before The Big Game.  To do so, click on the appropriate link. You will be brought to the Amazon App Store. Make sure you are logged in, then select "Deliver to Fire TV" and click on "Deliver." The app will be available on your Fire TV within minutes. You may also download these apps through the APP Store, accessed via your Fire TV. (Personally, I find it easier to navigate the Amazon App Store on my PC than using the Fire Stick.)

This can also be a cost-effective way to add Super Bowl viewing capabilities to supplemental TVs, especially if your Cable Provider requires "boxes" to access sports packages, and you do not rent boxes for supplemental TVs.  A Fire TV Stick's cost is not much more than the cost of an OTA (Over The Air) Antenna, and many of us get better picture quality through streaming than we do on OTA TV.  

If you do not own an Echo Device, Amazon has a deal going on right now where you can purchase a Fire TV Stick and a Dot for only $70.  Having both a Dot and a Fire TV will allow you to control your TV via voice.  (Click the link for a how-to on voice controlling your TV with a Fire TV and Alexa.)  And you will be able to queue up the Big Game by merely saying "Alexa, Play the Big Game," starting at Noon on February 4th.  

If you do not yet own a Fire TV, the good news is that you still have plenty of time to purchase one before Super Bowl Sunday, even without Prime Two Day Shipping.  And you will not need any type of "log-in" to watch the game, other than your Amazon account.

E-Mail Deactivation Scams

No, Your E-Mail Account Is NOT About to be Closed

Account Closure E-Mails are Another Form of Phishing

 

Account Deactivation E-Mails

Have you received an e-mail stating your ISP is going to deactivate your e-mail account? Did you panic?  Well, you can relax, as these "Account Closure" e-mails are just another form of phishing, and they can safely be junked.

To review, phishing is a form of spam. in which the bad guys try to steal your personal information by impersonating someone trustworthy.  We've talked about phishing many times in the past.  The Bad Guys use sophisticated tactics to try to separate you from your personal information, often so they can impersonate you and/or steal your identity.  E-mails threatening to close your e-mail account if you do not click on a link are no different.

Ask My Buddy and Alexa Can Summon Help in an Emergency

Alert Your Personal Emergency Network
Using Only Your Voice,
 with Alexa and Ask My Buddy

Turn Your Smart Speaker into an Emergency Alert Device

Alexa and other Smart Home technologies can make life a lot easier for people who live alone, people who have disabilities, and a lot of older people.   Smart Home technologies and Smart Speakers can automate a lot of tasks, and make physical tasks simpler for those with physical limitations.  Smart speakers and other assistive technologies can help a person continue to live independently, in his or her own home, for a longer time. But what these technologies cannot yet do is to call 911.  Wouldn't it be great if Smart Speakers, like the Amazon Echo or Google Home, could summon help when an individual needs it?  Well, now they can, thanks to a service called "AskMyBuddy.net."

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

Most of us have seen the commercials. A senior citizen is in distress, but s/he cannot get to a telephone to summon help.  However, the individual wears a pendant, and by pressing a button, s/he can summon assistance from a personal emergency alert network.  And although these devices are marketed to seniors, I know a few women and people with disabilities who live alone and wish they had this "yell for help" capability, but they do not want another monthly expense, especially when they figure they will not use it often. Many people in this category have Alexa or a similar Smart Speaker.    However, despite the fact Alexa has limited calling abilities, she cannot dial 911, no matter how many times you ask her to.  Wouldn't it be nice if Alexa could summon emergency help with a voice command?