Technology Class: Online Shopping Tools and New Apple Products

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The session covered online shopping tools and services, along with a detailed look at Apple's newest product announcements. This continued the month's theme of shopping, cashback, rebates, credit cards, and digital wallets. The instructor briefly reviewed last week's discussion on browser extensions before moving to online shopping services and concluding with Apple's recent product announcements.

Online Shopping Services

  • Instacart: Delivery service for groceries and products from multiple stores including Costco, Target, and local retailers. Offers same-day delivery with either per-delivery fees or monthly subscription options.
  • GoldBelly: Specialty food delivery service for nostalgic or regional foods from across the country, shipped directly to your door.
  • Google Shopping: Price comparison tool that aggregates products across multiple retailers to find the best prices.
  • DealDash: Penny auction site with extremely low starting bids, though the instructor expressed skepticism about its value proposition.
  • Wirecutter: Product review site (part of New York Times) that provides recommendations similar to Consumer Reports but without a subscription requirement.

Browser Shopping Tips

  • Credit Card Storage: Browsers offer built-in credit card storage under Settings > AutoFill > Payment Methods, making online checkout easier and more secure.
  • Browser Extensions: Reminder about last week's discussion on using extensions like Rakuten for cashback, ad blockers for pop-ups, and translation tools.
  • Extension Safety: When installing extensions, check reviews, download counts, and verify the source to ensure they're legitimate and regularly updated.

New Apple Product Announcements

  • iPhone Air: Ultra-thin, lightweight phone starting at $999, with fewer camera options than Pro models but still featuring quality cameras and 24-hour battery life.
  • iPhone 17 Pro: Starting at $1,099 with three camera lenses and new features including "Center Stage" for selfies that automatically adjusts to include everyone in the frame.
  • AirPods Pro: New features include live translation capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence, allowing real-time translation of conversations when paired with compatible iPhones.
  • Apple Watch: New models feature health monitoring capabilities including hypertension detection that analyzes blood vessel responses to heartbeats over 30-day periods.

Next Week's Preview

  • The instructor will cover more about shopping on mobile phones
  • More shopping-related topics will be discussed

Action Items

  • [ ] Try DealDash if interested and report back on experiences
  • [ ] Visit sfct.net to review class notes and schedules
  • [ ] Consider checking apple.com for more details on new products if interested

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