Lifestyle

By John Vomhof Jr. Lifestyle

21 Aug: Tech Talk: How Fantasy Football Scored Big as Internet Grew

With pro football’s first regular-season games just around the corner, millions of Americans are busy prepping for their annual fantasy football drafts.

Fantasy sports have become more popular than ever in recent years, thanks largely to the rise of technology. You can research your picks and download “cheat sheets” from hundreds of websites, draft your team remotely and change your lineup via an app. It’s all done online.

To learn more about the changing fantasy football landscape, we chatted with Paul Charchian, who has witnessed the transformation from the inside as one of the industry’s most recognized experts.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

18 Aug: Study Smarter, Not Harder With These Tech Tips

Studying is studying whether you’re a second-grader or a second-year grad student. It’s sometimes boring and often time consuming, and for most students it’s an essential part of doing well in school.

But, it can be much easier.

Agent Noelle St. Andrew, from Richfield, Minnesota, juggles work, her personal life and school. She has come up with some tips to help students of any age study smarter, not harder.

Here’s what she recommends.

‘Write’ it down

Writing things down has been shown to help you remember them better.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

15 Aug: 3 Things to Know for Solar Eclipse Viewing Safety, Photography

There hasn’t been a coast-to-coast solar eclipse in the United States since 1918, so millions of Americans are anxious to observe this rare phenomenon firsthand next week. And many of them will have their cameras ready to capture the moment so they can relive it again and again.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking all or part of the sun. On Aug. 21, all of North America will experience a partial solar eclipse that will last two to three hours.

By John Vomhof Jr. Geek Squad Lifestyle

04 Aug: Badges And Hugs: A Geek Squad Agent’s Surprise Encounter

Geek Squad Agent Sean McCoy was in line at a donut shop in suburban Chicago in June when the woman in front of him noticed his badge.

“Are you a police officer?” Angie Baldwin asked excitedly.

“No ma’am,” replied Agent McCoy, who has worked for Best Buy for almost 22 years. “I’m a Geek Squad Agent. We wear badges because we police technology — and it makes us look cool.”

It certainly wasn’t the first time a Geek Squad Agent has been asked about his or her badge, but this time was different.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

02 Aug: Get the Smartest Dorm on Campus

Your college packing list should consist of more than shower shoes and No. 2 pencils.

Imagine walking into your dorm and with just six words you can be watching your favorite show without pressing a single button. Or, your quick library visit is turning into an all-nighter, so you turn off your lights and electronics all the way across campus – with your smartphone.

Smart home technology isn’t just for houses. Some of the latest and greatest products work great in a dorm to give you an A+ environment for studying, having fun or staying organized.

By John Vomhof Jr. Lifestyle

28 Jul: Study Up on 5 Trends for Back to School

It seems like summer just started, but before we know it the kids will be loading up their backpacks and hopping on the bus for their first day of school.

That means it’s time for back-to-school shopping.

Here’s a quick look at a few of this year’s hottest trends.

1. People are shopping earlier, longer and spending more

While two-thirds of us plan to start our back-to-school shopping the same time as last year, 28 percent of shoppers said they planned to start earlier.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

20 Jul: California Blue Shirt Is in a Lane All His Own

Before the sun rises over Chula Vista, California, Austin Pruitt has already completed 10 miles around the race track, maybe 20 if it’s a good day. He’s out of breath and drenched in sweat but still wears a smile. That’s the attitude that makes Austin a champion on — and off — the track.

Austin, who was born with cerebral palsy, is a Paralympic wheelchair racer with a bronze medal from the 2011 World Para Athletics Championship. He’s going for another medal this week in London.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

05 Jul: After 26 Years Working Together, These Autotechs Keep on Trucking

Many years ago, Pete Kolb and Tim Chase knew each other because they were both in the electronics business in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

And Sioux Falls is not a huge town.

Pete got a job at Best Buy and, a few years later, Tim joined him there. They’ve been Autotechs together ever since — more than 26 years.

“They’re two peas in a pod,” said Alexandra LeBlanc, the store’s general manager. “There’s a lot of teamwork going on between those two.”

By Brynn Albrecht Lifestyle Sustainability

27 Jun: 5 Ways You Know It’s Time to Flip Your Fridge

In support of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® “Flip Your Fridge” campaign, we’re here to point out some telltale signs it’s time to upgrade your refrigerator to a more energy efficient model. You’ll save energy and help protect the environment. Cool for you and cool for the planet!

Here are five ways to know when it’s time to flip your fridge:

1. Your fridge hums.

If you can hear your fridge buzzing, humming or singing during any part of the day, consider a model that has energy-saving attributes that cool your food quietly and efficiently.

By John Vomhof Jr. Lifestyle

23 Jun: Von Miller Talks Football, Tech and Geekdom

Von Miller is one of professional football’s hardest-hitting defensive superstars. He’s a fashion icon and TV star. And he’s a self-proclaimed geek with a badge to back it up.

Von, who was deputized as a Geek Squad Agent last year, stopped by the Best Buy Corporate Campus in Richfield, Minnesota, on Friday to talk about football, tech and pose for selfies.

We sat down with the Super Bowl MVP for a few minutes to chat about his life as a geek, his favorite tech and what it’s been like to team up with Geek Squad.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

21 Jun: Selfie Tips for That Perfect Pic

National Selfie Day is June 21, which gives you the perfect opportunity to reassess your selfie game. As a self-certified selfie expert (I’ve taken thousands in my lifetime), I’m here to give you the tips, tricks and tools you need to take your selfies to another level.

Tip 1: It’s all about the angles

Maximum arm length is key to a great selfie. Use your front-facing camera and make sure to fully extend your arm with your phone in your hand.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

12 Jun: How Tech Can Help Fight Summer Brain Drain

Students anxiously await summer break. It’s a time to sleep in, hang out with friends and spend lazy days on the beach.

But, unfortunately, it also can undo some of the learning from the recent school year. In fact, many students will lose between one and three months of learning during the summer, according to the National Summer Learning Association.

The phenomenon is often called “brain drain.” But technology is one tool that can help fight it.

“Technology can make learning math and reading fun!

1 … 26 27 28 … 31