https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/09/travel/the-key-to-cheap-internet-service-a-local-sim-card.html By Geoffrey Morrison April 9, 2019 There’s an easy way to get zero roaming fees, inexpensive internet service and cheap phone calls when you travel. The trick is the SIM card, a tiny, removable chip, inside your phone. What is a SIM card? Subscriber Identity Module cards are roughly the same size, and indeed look … Continue reading Key to cheap internet service when you travel — a local SIM card
Month: April 2019
Two articles about dealing with your worsening allergies
Getting harder and harder to leave the Apple universe — Apple Pay for NYC transit
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/04/04/apple-pay-transit-singapore-nyc-chicago-portland/? Apple Pay for Transit: Now Accepted in Singapore, NYC Testing Soon, Chicago and Portland to Integrate Fare Cards Thursday April 4, 2019 6:48 am PDT by Joe Rossignol Apple Pay is launching or gaining expanded functionality at transit systems in additional cities throughout 2019, starting with Singapore today followed by Chicago, Portland, and New York City later this … Continue reading Getting harder and harder to leave the Apple universe — Apple Pay for NYC transit
Extended and intensified allergy season part of climate change
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/allergy-season-getting-longer-and-nastier-each-year-180971922/ Allergy Season Is Getting Longer and Nastier Each Year An extended and intensified allergy season is one of the most visible effects of climate change By Jason Daley SMITHSONIAN.COM APRIL 9, 2019 401102181 If you have seasonal allergies, you may have already suspected that allergy season is coming earlier, lasting longer and growing more severe … Continue reading Extended and intensified allergy season part of climate change
A second article about the Powerbeats Pro, Apple’s alternative to the Airpod 2
https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2019/4/3/18292853/beats-powerbeats-pro-true-wireless-earbuds-announced-airpods Beats officially unveils ‘totally wireless’ Powerbeats Pro with Apple’s H1 chip in new AirPods, ‘Hey Siri’ Zac Hall - Apr. 3rd 2019 10:00 am PT @apollozac Apple’s first real competitor to AirPods has finally arrived: Beats Powerbeats Pro. Apple has owned Beats since 2014, of course, which explains much of the magic behind the latest … Continue reading A second article about the Powerbeats Pro, Apple’s alternative to the Airpod 2
Looking for great sci-fi/fantasy options? 2019 Hugo Award finalist list is here
https://bookriot.com/2019/04/03/2019-hugo-award-finalists/ 2019 HUGO AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED, AND THE LIST IS GORGEOUS MARGARET KINGSBURY04-03-19 I’m not sure I’ve ever looked at an awards list and sighed in happiness, but that’s what I did when I saw the finalists for the 2019 Hugo Awards(scroll to the bottom to see the full list). This list is gorgeous—a work of art … Continue reading Looking for great sci-fi/fantasy options? 2019 Hugo Award finalist list is here
Tim Cook’s resistance to FBI was do or die
This biography of Tim Cook is an absolute must-read for me. Many have compared him unfavorably to Steve Jobs, primarily on the innovation/simplicity front, but there are many ways that he's changed Apple to benefit customers and shareholders. Here are a few excerpt from an upcoming biography "Tim Cook: The Genius Who Took Apple to … Continue reading Tim Cook’s resistance to FBI was do or die
Alternative to the Airpod family that may fit your needs better
If you're one of the people whose ears are not the size/shape of Airpods, these may suit you better. https://9to5mac.com/2019/04/03/airpods-2-powerbeats-pro-comparison/ Should you buy AirPods 2 or Powerbeats Pro? Here’s how Apple’s truly wireless earbuds compare Chance Miller - Apr. 3rd 2019 5:46 pm PT @ChanceHMiller Last month, 9to5Mac exclusively revealed the design of Apple’s new truly wireless … Continue reading Alternative to the Airpod family that may fit your needs better
Congestion pricing in NYC a big deal
The first reactions to the imposition of congestion pricing in Manhattan for travel below 50th street fit in three basic categories: (1) Can I get an exception? (2) Why impose a few on private vehicles when the problem is (fill in the blank -- Uber, Lyft, too many cabs, night-time trucks)? (3) how is it … Continue reading Congestion pricing in NYC a big deal
Bad diet responsible for more deaths than smoking
This article surprised me. I've always assumed that malnutrition and downright starvation killed huge numbers of people, but not that bad diet alone could be responsible for more deaths than smoking. Since many of the cigarette/vaping companies are American-based, I've always felt we simply exported our health problems to other countries. We probably do, but … Continue reading Bad diet responsible for more deaths than smoking
Task of repairing damaged coral is huge and may simply be too big
One of the areas of the planet hit most obviously and hardest is our coastal coral beds that house a wonderfully complex and diverse mix of life, some of which sustains humanity. The increasing acidification and warming of the ocean is bleaching virtually all of the major coral areas. Heroic efforts are being made to … Continue reading Task of repairing damaged coral is huge and may simply be too big
Gmail has made useful changes — check them out!
Here are two articles about the many changes Google has just applied to Gmail -- one at the macro level, the other more micro. Gmail is only 15 years old. Remember being thrilled to get my invitation. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/04/228570/gmail-scheduled-emails-smart-compose-updates Gmail Just Got Some Major Upgrades — Here's How To Use Them ANABEL PASAROW APRIL 1, 2019, 1:40 … Continue reading Gmail has made useful changes — check them out!
Abycats' Thoughts 